Guyana Times International

Global stars for Limacol CPL 2014 showcase

INTERNATIONAL

Page 55

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com week ending April 6, 2014

ISSUE NO. 187

Jagdeo will break his silence, Rohee warns critics See story on page 13

Budget debates heat up Govt, Opposition clash over monies for GPL, GuySuCo

Popular Guyanese community activist passes on in New York

Page 15

Jagdesh Mohunlall

U.S.-based Guyanese among those vying for Miss Guyana-World title Page 42

See stories inside Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge earlier this week set the tone for what the Opposition predicted would be a “difficult� debate on the Gy$220 Billion National Budget presented by the Government last week (Carl Croker photo)

Tiffany Megnath

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NEWS

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‘Rodney Inquiry is not driven by political agenda’ - President assures WPA

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mid its fierce objections to some aspects of the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Rodney Commission and the presence of Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam as a Commissioner, President Donald Ramotar has assured the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) that the inquiry has no ulterior motive.

“You have my fullest assurance that this Commission of Inquiry is not driven by a political agenda, neither is it inspired by a sinister motive. It is intended to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of one of Guyana’s brightest stars, a man who has won international acclaim for his prodigious scholarship as well as his social, political and working class activism, and coincidentally but fundamentally, one whom you once embraced as your leader, a brother and a comrade,” Ramotar told the WPA leaders in a letter.

In a statement on Sunday, the WPA had complained that the President did not respond to the letter sent to him since March 7. It added that it certainly is not conducive to the national reconciliation and political healing, which had been the last position of the Rodney family and the WPA, as enunciated in a joint statement in 2005 on the occasion

of the 25th anniversary of Dr Rodney’s assassination.

“WPA states again that our party was not consulted on the creation of the Terms of Reference for the Commission of Inquiry. As far as we have been aware and based on the President’s pronouncements and on remarks of leading spokespersons of the PPP and the PPP/C Government, the Terms of Reference was the creation of the Government of Guyana in consultation solely with the Rodney family.

According to the Government spokespersons, the Rodney family had insisted on the exclusion of political parties from the process. In the absence of any denial by the Rodney family to the Government’s contention, WPA must accept the Government’s position as factual.”

The WPA said it is not one of the organisations which the Commissioners saw fit to meet on their recent support-building exercise, “even though it has historically been for over three decades the leading voice calling for an inquiry into the assassination of Walter Rodney”.

The party said it should not be forgotten that it was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) which abstained on its own motion in Parliament in 2005 which

Dr Rupert Roopnaine

Dr Walter Rodney

sought to establish a CoI into Rodney’s death. The motion was supported by the WPA, the now defunct Rise, Organise and Rebuild Guyana (ROAR) and the People’s National Congress (PNC).

However, in his reply, Ramotar said it was never his intention to convey the impression that the party’s letter was ignored.

media in which I specifically attempted to address the concerns raised in your letter. Additionally, I instructed the Attorney General to issue a statement on behalf of the Government of Guyana and to do a television programme specifically to address the concerns which you and other stakeholders have raised with me, as well as publicly.

The statement was issued and the television programme was aired.”

The President told the WPA that the decision to launch the

Absence of reply

“You must have observed that I made several public pronouncements which were all carried prominently in the

inquiry stemmed from a request made to him personally,

by Dr Patricia Rodney.

There have been calls for such an inquiry, immediately after the death of Dr Rodney from many quarters, including, the PPP; public commitments of both Presidents, Dr Cheddi Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo to hold such an inquiry as well as a Resolution of the National Assembly.

According to the President, at the time when that request was made and after relating to him past experiences in relation to this matter, Mrs Rodney insisted that she does wish neither the ToR nor the selection of the Commissioners to be the subject of any consultations with political parties in Guyana.

Deliberate judgement

“In the exercise of my deliberate judgment, I accepted her request. In the circumstances and for those reasons, I tasked the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and the Attorney General with the responsibility to liaise with the Rodney family in respect of the formulation of the Terms of Reference. I am aware that the said Terms of Reference were crafted after weeks of consultations with the Rodney family.”

The President explained continued on page 12

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

TB challenges C Tax evasion still rampant

ountries around the world, including the Caribbean, observed World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24 under the theme, “Reach the 3 million” – the 3 million being referred to here are those persons who are “missed” by health systems in their TB response. Governments and policymakers used the occasion to engage in various activities, not just to spread more awareness about the disease, but to analyse where we are in terms of winning the TB fight.

TB is curable, but current efforts to find, treat and cure everyone who gets ill with the disease are not sufficient.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), of the nine million people a year who get sick with TB, a third of them are “missed” by health systems. Many of these three million people live in the world’s poorest, most vulnerable communities or are among marginalised populations such as migrant workers, refugees and internally displaced persons, prisoners, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, and drug users.

Progress towards global targets for reductions in TB cases and deaths in recent years has been impressive. TB mortality has fallen over 45 percent worldwide since 1990, and its incidence is declining. Also, new TB tools such as rapid diagnostics are helping transform response to the disease and new life-saving drugs are being introduced.

The global burden remains huge and significant challenges persist, and this is evident in the alarming numbers of TB cases, including fatalities, we are seeing, in spite of the numerous interventions at all levels.

In 2012, there were an estimated 8.6 million new cases of TB and 1.3 million people died from the disease. Of note too is that over 95 percent of TB deaths occur in low- and middleincome countries. Poor communities and vulnerable groups are most affected, but this airborne disease is a risk to all. TB is among the top three causes of death for women aged 15 to 44.

And there were an estimated 500,000 cases and 74,000 deaths among children in 2012.

As stated earlier, around three million people (equal to one in three people falling ill with TB) are currently being “missed” by health systems. While it would be no easy task, the authorities should do all they can to ensure that this “missed” group is not excluded from crucial TB interventions.

Further, WHO says that there is slow progress in tackling multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB): three out of four MDR-TB cases still remain without a diagnosis, and around 16,000 MDRTB cases reported to WHO in 2012 were not put on treatment.

Additionally, provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for TB patients known to be living with HIV needs to increase to meet WHO’s recommendation that all TB patients living with HIV promptly receive ART. Attracting the necessary funding for crucial TB programmes has always been a challenge for governments and policymakers.

Last year, the WHO and Global Fund had identified an anticipated gap of US$1.6 billion in annual international support for the fight against TB in 118 low- and middle-income countries.

The organisation had pointed to the fact that filling this gap could enable full treatment for 17 million TB and multidrugresistant TB patients and save six million lives between 2014 and 2016. Funding agencies need to make bolder financial commitments and follow through with them as this is a critical part of winning the battle against TB. Governments and NGOs may have the best ideas to tackle TB, but if funding is not there to turn these ideas into relevant programmes of action and implement them accordingly, then they would be of no use.

All partners can help take forward innovative approaches to ensure that everyone suffering from TB has access to TB diagnosis, treatment and cure. It is, therefore, hoped that stakeholders will utilise World TB Day to mobilise more political, social, and financial commitment for further progress in the fight against this dreaded disease.

A Division Commander George Vyphius poses with his family after his farewell parade at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown (Carl Croker photo)

despite improvements in regional system – IDB study

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n Inter-American Development Bank study has found that despite marked improvements in the tax administration in Latin America and the Caribbean, tax evasion remains widespread.

In a recent study titled “More Than Revenue: Taxation as a Development Tool”, the Bank said tax collections have increased approximately 30 per cent for each dollar of output or income in Latin America and the Caribbean in the last 20 years. Most of this increase is due to improvements in tax administration. It said tax administrations now boast technical and budgetary autonomy and highly qualified professional staff, while their collection function, focusing on large taxpayers, has been strengthened, thanks in part to the widespread use of technology.

“However, the challenges facing tax administrations are greater than their achievements. A large number of workers and businesses in the region never have contact with the tax authority. Although some are exempt by law from filing tax returns, most simply hide from the tax administration through the use of avoidance strategies or directly illegal fraud,” the study found.

According to the IDB, half of the potential collection of individual and corporate income tax is lost through evasion, along with over a quarter of the tax revenues that VAT should raise. The Bank said the main reason is that the probability of being punished for tax evasion is virtually nil.

“To begin with, few people are registered taxpayers – only 10 per cent of the

population in Latin America compared with 59 per cent in developed countries. Of the registered taxpayers, only 2.8 per cent are subject to general audits each year and an insignificant 0.2 per cent are subject to in-depth audits.”

These numbers, the Bank said, can be misleading because the audits are not random: “they focus on taxpayers who show most evidence of sophisticated and substantial tax fraud. This targeting is a bad thing for fat cats who have nowhere to hide, but much better for the majority of taxpayers for whom the probability of being sanctioned is even lower.”

But this is not all. “When fraud or other offences are detected, the penalties are not applied with sufficient vigour.

Tax fraud is well defined in Latin American legislation, but judgments are almost nonexistent on average, in every country in Latin America.”

The report said that in a few countries, there has been not a single judgment for tax fraud in the last five years.

A note of caution: in Chile, Colombia and Mexico, the number of judgments is reasonable and could be increas-

ing. As a result of this permissive chain, the impact of audits on total revenue is a meagre 1.6 per cent on average in all Latin America (and much less than that in most countries).

According to the Bank, raising the potential cost of evasion is an essential step, but possibly not enough. The efforts of tax administrations would be more effective if there were more “tax morality”. According to polls taken

by Latinobarómetro, only one in two Latin Americans think tax evasion is reprehensible.

The factors that undermine tax morality include the unpopularity of the Government in power, the belief that the country is not headed in the right direction, and the perception that public entities are not tackling the most pressing social problems, such as security or unemployment.

People’s motivations and fears about paying or evading tax are so varied that a wide variety of stimuli and incentives would be needed to substantially reduce evasion.

Unfortunately, many of the factors that affect tax morality are beyond the scope of action of tax administrations.

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Lall unaware of state media shakeup

Nandlall sues Stabroek News, Ram over ‘libellous’ letter

Office of the President, Public Information Coordinator Kellawan Lall

Columnist Christopher Ram

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oordinator of Public Information in the Office of the President, Kellawan Lall said he is unaware of any moves to reform the state media, despite widespread reports that new managers are to be appointed.

Lall, when contacted by Guyana Times International on Monday said that he had no knowledge of the alleged impending reshuffling of state media personnel.

However, reports reaching this newspaper revealed that acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Communications Network (NCN) Michael Gordon will early next month take up the mantle as General Manager of the Guyana Chronicle.

Sources at NCN have hinted two possible replacements for Gordon.

GTI was reliably informed that head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) Neaz Subhan is likely to act as the new Chief Executive Officer. There are also talks that current NCN Sales Manager Raymond Azeez may be offered the position.

The shakeup at NCN

came a few weeks after Chronicle’s Sunday Editor Linda Rutherford was reportedly demoted to acting editor by the Office of the President. Asked to comment on this, Lall told this publication that he was also unaware of Rutherford’s demotion.

The Sunday Editor was allegedly stripped of her post after a story appeared on the front page of the state-owned newspaper, declaring that former President Bharrat Jagdeo was favoured as People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate.

The article seemed to have caused some dis-

GINA head Neaz Subhan

cord at the Office of the President. Officials within the PPP/C have maintained that the former President is not eligible to run for another term and that they are resolute in their support for President Donald Ramotar.

The combined Opposition-sponsored poll had showed Ramotar as the most liked eligible presidential candidate should a snap election be called. The poll also revealed that former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said he will not run again for the country’s top post, would have been the most formidable candidate to contest the elections.

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ttorney General Anil Nandlall has sued Guyana Publications Inc, publishers of Stabroek News and Columnist Christopher Ram for Gy$20 million each over a letter back in March which he said libelled him.

The letter, which was published in the March 19 edition of the newspaper captioned: “It is the President’s duty alone to appoint three members of the Judicial Service Commission”. It was written by Ram. In his statement of claim submitted by Senior Counsel, Ashton Chase, Nandlall is seeking damages in excess of Gy$10 million from each defendant for alleged libel contained in the letter and aggravated damages.

He has also applied for an injunction restraining the newspaper from republishing the alleged libel.

Nandlall had earlier threatened legal action against Ram and the Stabroek News if they did not apologise for what he has deemed “libellous” claims written

by the former in a letter.

According to Nandlall, the letter made several allegations, which alluded that he is incompetent and guilty of dereliction of duty as the principal legal adviser to the President and the Government of Guyana.

Nandlall, through his Attorney Sase Gunraj, wrote letters to both Ram and Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud, asking them to apologise for making such allegations. In the identical letters, which were sent to this publication, it is stated that the allegations made by Ram “are not only libellous,

but are reckless and accentuated by malice”.

Nandlall further stated that the allegations have caused him great public ridicule, odium, contempt, embarrassment, and humiliation, both locally and internationally. He added that they have also brought disparagement to the offices of Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament, all positions he holds. The Attorney General’s attorney demanded that a retraction of the libellous letter be published, along with an unreserved apology.

Stabroek News Editor-In-Chief Anand Persaud had responded to Nandlall saying: “It is my view that the letter complained of: ‘It is the President’s duty alone to appoint three members of the Judicial Service Commission’, published in the March 19th, 2014 edition of the Stabroek News constitutes eminently fair comment on a matter of public interest in relation to a senior public official. There shall therefore be no retraction or apology by Stabroek News.”

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Gov’t, U.S. Embassy Unite against crime, GG urges Jamaicans ... as Beryl Rochester installed as custos of St Elizabeth hold talks on governance project T

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U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt

resident Donald Ramotar and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt last week held talks on the controversial Leadership Education and Democracy (LEAD) Project.

The U.S. Ambassador, Brent Hardt through his Public Affairs Officer Albert Razick, told this publication that the two men met last Thursday.

According to the U.S. Embassy Spokesman, Ramotar was accompanied by Foreign Minister

Carolyn Rodrigues– Birkett and Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira.

He described the discussion as fruitful. “The discussions were positive and constructive, and the parties agreed to meet again as soon as feasible to continue the dialogue with a view to finding a mutually agreeable way forward within the framework of our longstanding cooperation through USAID [United States Agency for International continued on page 13

here was plenty of pomp, colour and ceremony as Beryl Rochester was formally installed as Custos Rotulorum last Thursday at this historic coastal town's Independence Park.

But also, there was much substance, as Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke and Rochester, who is St Elizabeth's first woman custos, delivered sober messages relating to national development.

Speaking to an audience of leading citizens of St Elizabeth and the wider Jamaica, including custodes, scores of justices of the peace, and political representatives, Sir Patrick underlined the threat posed by criminals among the nation's top priorities.

He urged Jamaicans to overcome "fear" and turn their faces firmly against criminals, whom he said were seemingly "bent on destroying our homeland" and "who have no qualms about wrecking the prospects of honest people, snuffing out the lives of our people, including innocent infants and children".

He instructed custodes and justices of the peace, to "always give leadership at the community and parish levels to secure peace and tranquility across Jamaica".

Rochester, who was formally sworn in by Sir Patrick at a King's House ceremony on February 10, received her instruments of office, the magistrates' Roll for St Elizabeth and the Insignia of the Order of Distinction (Commander

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen presents Custos of St Elizabeth Beryl Rochester with instruments of office. (Photo: Gregory Bennett)

Class) in Black River. The Order of Distinction, Commander Class, is bestowed on all custodes.

The new custos, who is married to former Member of Parliament for South East St Elizabeth, and retired trade unionist Derrick Rochester, assured Sir Patrick and the large audience that her responsibilities "will not be taken lightly".

As custos and the governor general's representative, Rochester is officially recognised as chief magistrate of St Elizabeth and will have among her varied responsibilities: preparing a roster of justices of the peace to serve as lay magistrates for Petty Sessions Court; making recommendations to the justice minister for appointments of justices; and keeping a close eye on the work of voluntary organisations.

The custos reminded justices of the peace, who collectively reaffirmed their oath of office during the function, of their responsibility to be "of unquestionable integrity", to protect the rights of individuals and ensure justice for members of their community.

A retired accountant and former financial controller of the now mothballed bauxite/alumina plant, Alpart, the new custos has contributed significantly as a volunteer to health and social services in St Elizabeth and the wider south central Jamaica.

She has served as a director of the Southern Regional Health Authority, chairman of the Black River Hospital Management Committee, and chairman of the St Elizabeth Care Committee which assists street people.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Jamaica’s PM Upgrade for Barbados’ Grantley Adams Int’l Airport honoured by COPA for 40 years in politics

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ortia Simpson Miller, prime minister of Jamaica, says not enough progress is being made to have more women participate in the political

process, as she renewed her call for more females to become world leaders.

Simpson Miller was addressing the closing session of the 27th meeting of the

Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA) at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel continued on page 10

A night view of the current Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados

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ome infrastructural changes will be made to the Grantley Adams International Airport in the near future.

While not revealing fully what these adjustments would encompass, the country’s Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, said that the airport was being continually upgraded to facilitate increasing demands.

“Considerable extensions are to be done to the terminal building so as to make provision for additional departure space and the master plan speaks directly to that constant problem that everyone speaks

about – jet bridges. Yes, there will come a time that when you get some scattered showers you won’t have to be handing out umbrellas; we would have jet bridges at our airport,” he stated.

In addition, the minister disclosed that a heavier emphasis will be placed on improving the shopping experience.

“We also are looking at improving the shopping experience such that arrivals, departures, in transit, air-to-sea, everyone will be forced to walk past something where they will be encouraged to leave some money.

This happens in other jurisdictions – Trinidad and Tobago, Panama City come to mind right

away – [where there are] virtual malls in the terminal building and we think we can do better,” he said.

At the time, he was addressing the audience gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Civil Aviation Building in Charnocks on Monday.

“There are also some very clumsy infrastructural arrangements that need to be sorted out as well. The airport is a nice building aesthetically to some extent but there is room for some improvement and all of that is part of what we are trying to do in creating a dynamic aviation industry,” Sealy further noted.

(JMB)

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (third left), who was presented with a citation

by Senator Zulma Ramona Gomez Caceres (second left), president, Confederation of Parliamentarians of the Americas (COPA) — in recognition of her 40 years as a parliamentarian — shares her special moment with little Zoe Walker and Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, state minister in the ministry of commerce and industry, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Michael Peart. (Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

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First Lady Foundation salutes autism institutions

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he First Lady Foundation has saluted the Guyana Greenheart Autistic School, Step-by-Step Guyana, Gifted Hands and the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for their work in caring for autistic and special needs children.

The Foundation in a release to mark the seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day today (Wednesday), said it wishes to endorse the call for action to enable children and persons with autism to lead full and meaningful lives.

To this effect, the Foundation is partnering with local organisations to promote awareness activities.

Additionally, a fitness walk from the Bank of Guyana to the National Park will take place on April 6.

The designation for World Autism Awareness Day resulted from a resolution that was introduced by the state of Qatar in December 2007. By designating this day, the United Nations (UN) has helped to promote an international effort in spreading awareness of this misunderstood disorder that was only named autism in the 1940s, although the condition existed for centuries.

Autism is a spectrum of disorders that ranges from mild to severe. It is a mental condition that can be detected from early childhood, usually during the first three years of life. Signs of autism can be identified by children’s inability to communicate, poor social skills and repetitive behaviour.

Autistic children tend to have difficulties making eye contact and in engag-

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar

ing people.

Boys are more likely to suffer from autism than girls. According to Autism Speaks, an organisation dedicated to the promotion of awareness on this disorder, autism affects one in 183 girls and one in 42 boys.

In recent years, the rate of diagnosis has been increasing rapidly. This is likely as a result of the spreading of awareness, which aids in detection.

57 youths graduate from skills project

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ome 57 young Guyanese have graduated from the United States Agency for International Development’s Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) Project in the areas of skills and literacy training.

The graduation ceremony was held last Friday at the Georgetown Club during which the youths were honoured. Thirtythree of the youths graduated from work and life skills training while the remaining 24 completed literacy training.

The graduates are from Regions Four and Five.

The literacy training, which was done in collaboration with the Adult Education Association (AEA), saw the youths becoming equipped with basic reading and work readiness skills.

Meanwhile, an additional 12 young persons from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) also graduated on March 26, after they completed training sessions in literacy, work, and life skills training.

U.S. Ambassador, D Brent Hardt, in addressing the small gathering of the graduates and their families, commend-

The graduates from the SKYE programme

ed the youths for their dedication and hard work displayed during the training. He also thanked the coaches and mentors for their part in ensuring the graduates find good jobs.

The Ambassador had disclosed that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) online job bank was helping to match employers with SKYE graduates, and noted that SKYE graduates are now a recognised “brand”, which is becoming more widely known and respected by employers for producing talented, dedicated, and effective employees.

Market-driven skills

Dr Luther Leudtke, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Education Development Centre

(EDC), was also present at the ceremony. Through the SKYE programme, some 936 young persons have completed life and work skills training and of this number, 319 were placed into full-time employment by the end of February.

The project is funded by Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and focuses on equipping young Guyanese with marketdriven skills, improving their ability to gain employment.

The SKYE programme supports youths who are secondary school dropouts, young people who have completed formal education but require additional skills in order to gain employment, and youths in the juvenile justice system.

Labour Minister defends remuneration for public sector workers

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abour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul defended Government workers’ remuneration in the face of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence questioning the Administration’s commitment to improving Guyana’s Human Development Index, as the 2014 Budget debate continued Tuesday in the National Assembly.

Lawrence asked where the human face of the Government is as teachers continue to migrate because of poor salaries, policemen continue to work for pittances, pensioners barely eke out an existence, and other vulnerable groups suffer, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

In response, Minister Gopaul pointed out that unlike the previous Government, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government, real wages for workers have improved, they have been better protected and as a result workers are enjoying a better life. Minister Gopaul said it was under the

one,” the Minister said.

Dr Gopaul also pointed to 1979 when there was the withdrawal of increments and the refusal to pay workers their benefits, and the two years in the 1980s when there was also the introduction of a wage freeze.

1980s decline

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul

PPP/C, in fact, the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan’s administration that workers, began to enjoy better wages. Dr Jagan initiated the true process of collective bargaining with unions on the issue of wages and salaries.

He pointed out that in the mid-1980s, workers had to suffer the “infamous (Desmond) Hoyte circular which proscribed collective bargaining”.

The circular dictated that “no agency, no one was allowed to engage in any form of collective bargaining and settling any agreement with any-

The Labour Minister pointed out that the situation in the country in the 1980s was so miserable and so desperate for workers that analysis done by high-ranking economists, including Dr Clive Thomas, showed that real wages declined 45 per cent below the rate of 1942.

He said these incidents must be measured against what has happened between 1992 and 2013. From 1992, the PPP/C Government has increased public servants’ minimum wage from to Gy$3137 to Gy$35,000 in 2013.

He noted that in addition, throughout the period even when there were poor performances in many sectors, some level of wages was still paid. The results of this are evident in the development across the country, he said.

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

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QC Science Fair was spirit-lifting

Dear Editor, I have had the pleasure of visiting the Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair which was recently hosted by the Georgetown Department of Education and held at Queen’s College (QC), under the Mission Statement of “Providing Solutions for the 21st Century”. The QC Principal, Ms Benn, was kind enough to allow the exuberant Biology and Environmental Science teacher, Mr Elroy VanKannie to accompany me through the exhibition.

One could not help but be impressed by the students from several secondary schools in the Georgetown area. Their lucidity of argument, boldness of presentation, and self-confidence were indeed admirable; and also spoke volumes about their teachers who guided them

in their projects, which dealt with a wide palette of current problems in need of solutions. These included initiatives associated with water purification systems, addressing climate change, combating pollution, organic replacement for chemical fertilisers, recycling, flood reduction methodologies, land reclamation techniques, multiplicity and versatility of usages of our indigenous plants and materials, etc.

I was particularly fascinated (perhaps for obvious reasons related to the transmission of electoral results) by the use of electronic procedures to evaluate students’ test scripts; unfortunately, one can only use this method in grading answers of multiple choice questions.

A special mention must be made about, the ‘Green Vehicles

Revolution’, the concept of which may not be new, but which was thoughtprovoking, not only because of the possibility of usage in Guyana, but because of the creativity and enthusiasm exuding from students Elliot and Faria.

Actually, the only shortcoming was that Corporate Guyana did not find it necessary to expose itself to interesting ideas, some of which could possibly find applications in their own enterprises. Executive officers of companies that need scientific inputs have a chance to see Guyana’s best young innovators exhibit their prowess in Anna Regina during April 22-25.

Finally, I must thank the organisers for affording me a most spirit-lifting two hours at the fair last Friday.

Respectfully, Dr Steve Surujbally

Solving Guyana’s transportation problems Dear Editor, An amenity like public transportation should really not be a problem, but, unfortunately, it is, and it is important that we find a way to resolve our current situation. I believe that the minibus system needs a complete overhaul.

Many bus owners appear to be more interested in decorative features such as mag rims and music systems.

Additionally, many of them are breaching multiple traffic rules including loud music, overloading and detouring from their specified routes.

As it relates to the tariff for transportation, it is a fixed cost that is determined by the relevant authorities, and

they are, in fact, the only ones who can legally make alternations to such fares. Presently, both minibus operators and hire car drivers are unlawfully increasing their fares and inconveniencing many passengers.

In fact, many passengers are victimised and discriminated against on a daily basis; and for those eager to get home after a hard day, they are left with no choice but to pay the increased fare.

I must commend the Government for advising commuters to desist from paying the demanded increase.

Unfortunately, all is not well when this approach is taken, since many operators simply pay no

heed to those unwilling to pay their price. The present minibus culture can be quite overwhelming at times, and it is for this reason that many Guyanese yearn for the return of the big buses.

These buses are much safer and can comfortably accommodate more people. I am positive that the decision to re-implement big buses will be a good one, and so I urge the Government to pursue this direction.

I speak for many when I say that the resolving of the current transportation woes is greatly anticipated.

Transportation arrangements must be made more conducive to the nation.

Yours faithfully, Eulyn Fitzgerald

Congratulations to airport security personnel for job well done Dear Editor, I must commend the Guyana Police Force’s Anti Narcotics Unit and the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) for their great work as it relates to the nabbing of individuals found guilty of attempting to traf-

I do believe that with well-trained personnel and facilities in place, there is minimum chance of these individuals being successful in their illegal ventures.

However, the element of human and professional integrity must

fic narcotics through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee highlighted that the successful interceptions are as a result of the massive investments in training. Personally, I agree with him, since

be favoured, and it is for this reason that I will always support the efforts of the Police and Customs.

Police officers on a daily basis are expected to exercise moral choices. Additionally, it is an act of professional discretion that determines whether an officer will

decide to arrest someone or not.

In fact, the proper use of this discretion requires police officers to be ethical, educated, and well-trained in order to make sound and professional judgments in the course of their duties.

These decisions involve a number of factors and one of them has to do with the temptation to sell out or to accept a bribe as we all know it. Law enforcers worldwide all encounter the realities of crimes and their various ramifications, and are often pressured into a web of corruption. At the end of the day, it all comes back to the integrity of these individuals.

Once again, I commend the relevant authorities for practising a lawful culture that takes the interest of our Guyanese people to heart.

Sincerely, Anna Badree-Griffith

Much more needs to be done in the fight against illegal guns Dear Editor, Records show that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) managed to seize approximately 111 illegal guns during the year 2013, and though I must commend them for their efforts to curb gun crimes in Guyana, I still believe that much more needs to be done.

Approximately 28 pistols, 39 revolvers, 31 shotguns and 13 rifles were seized, the majority of which came from the United States and Brazil. It, therefore, means that the GPF and all other relevant authorities must not only seek to intercept weapons on the street, but also those that are in transit on their way to Guyana.

Some organisations often require a security scan for every individual who wishes to enter the compound or proceed onward. These scanners detect any metal objects that an in-

dividual may have in his or her possession, and should any discoveries be made, further checks are prompted.

A group of scientists are currently in the process of developing a mobile scanner that will be able to detect weap-

know that illegal guns are bountiful in Guyana and are falling into the hands of all the wrong people. Personally, I think that for every illegal weapon that is confiscated, its origin must be sourced in order for us to minimise easy

ons being carried on the streets. The scanner will be able to pick out the outline of knives, guns and other weapons hidden underneath clothing and other secret places, thus enabling the officers to target criminals long before they strike.

It is daunting to

sourcing of these weapons.

Moreover, we must implement better laws applicable to all individuals who are illegal holders of firearm licences and other weapons.

Sincerely, Vimla Harrichand

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APNU whips up support base in Bartica

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he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) conducted an outreach exercise in Bartica, Region Seven on Sunday trying to whip up its support base for the impending Local Government Elections.

A team of eight Members of Parliament (MP), led by Opposition Leader, Retired Brigadier David Granger, participated in this exercise.

The APNU MP, along with regional leaders and supporters of the coalition fanned out into the community, going door to door, informing residents about APNU’s position on several matters of national and local interests.

The door-to-door exercise was followed by a town hall meeting at the St John’s Anglican School, Bartica.

According to a release by the coalition, the meeting was addressed by MP Joseph Harmon and Opposition Leader Granger.

The APNU leaders addressed a packed hall that included residents from Bartica, Rivers View, Batavia, Kartabo

The Town hall meeting at the St John’s Anglican School, Bartica

and Dogg Point. In Harmon’s address, he gave the residents an explanation of what constitutes money laundering and APNU’s work in the Special Select Committee and the coalition’s position regarding the amendments to the current legislation.

Harmon said that APNU was committed to ensuring that Guyana not only have strong enforceable antimoney laundering laws, but was working to ensure the autonomous governance of the criti-

cal agencies responsible for ensuring the effective efforts to combat the national scourge of money laundering surrounding the new legislation was effective and enforceable.

Granger’s remarks focused on the need for Local Government Elections and the neglect of Bartica and the Cuyuni-Mazaruni by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration.

He said that local elections were needed in order to give residents

the power to run their own communities.

Mismanagement

The Opposition Leader said that the poor roads, problems of solid waste disposal and inadequate water and light plaguing Bartica was a direct result of the PPP/C’s domination and mismanagement of the local government system. Granger said that Bartica was one of the oldest communities in the nation and deserves to be a township/municipality.

He told his audience that the PPP/C has neglected the hinterland regions of Guyana and made special reference to Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

Granger said that APNU would use whatever clout it has in the National Assembly to make Bartica a town.

During a very lively question and answer segment, the questions from the audience were incisive and covered several areas of concern to residents including: trafficking in persons; poor transportation and security; inadequate electricity and water supply; the lack of vocational and technical education in the region – the immediate need for a technical institute at Bartica; the domination of mining areas within the region by foreign nationals (who push out the locals, depriving them of a livelihood); illegal drug use; and the PPP/C’s non-consultation with the residents on the proposed road from Parika to Goshen.

The APNU team included MPs Amna Ally, Volda Lawrence, Dr George Norton, Joseph Harmon, Dawn Hastings, Annette Ferguson, Renitta Williams, James Bond and Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford.

Popular radio announcer remanded to prison over assault of 13-year-old

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Radio broadcaster Ossie Rogers

adio Broadcaster Ossie Rogers was remanded to prison on Tuesday after he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court charged with assaulting and threatening a 13-year-old girl.

Rogers was charged with assault causing serious bodily harm and threatening language.

The prosecution stated that Rogers slapped and threatened the 13-year-old girl from Industry, East Coast Demerara in her yard while accusing her of being too close a friend of a 15-year-old male, who is reportedly a close friend of Rogers.

It is also reported that Rogers endangered the girl’s mother and shoved her down in her yard when she rushed to her daughter’s aid.

Reports reaching Guyana Times International state that when Rogers appeared in

court, he requested that Presiding Magistrate Alex Moore recuse himself from hearing the case, since he had found him guilty in another case.

The Magistrate then told Rogers that there was no reason under law for him to recuse himself from the case and he proceeded to hear the matter.

Both offences are bailable; however, the virtual complainant in tears told the court that she now fears for her life, pointing out that the accused has made other threats prior to his court appearance Tuesday.

Magistrate Moore subsequently decided to remand the freelance radio announcer to prison. His attorney, Dexter Todd, via a brief telephone interview, said he will appeal the Magistrate’s decision.

Rogers will make his next court appearance on next Tuesday.

Jamaica’s PM honoured by COPA for 40 years...

From page 7

in St James, Jamaica, where she was presented with a citation by Senator Zulma Ramona Gomez Caceres, president of COPA in recognition of her 40 years as a female politician.

Appealing that there is a practical argument that supports her position, Simpson Miller pointed out that on a daily basis millions of women across the globe are making fundamental decisions that affect the survival and wellbeing of their families.

"They are involved in organising, supervising, demonstrating problemsolving skills, mediating and in general playing the part of a stabilising force. These are skills that are necessary for political work," Simpson Miller told the predom-

inantly female gathering.

She stressed that female leadership across the world had helped to reshape "our contemporary societies and their human development challenges", citing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, whom she said had paved the way for female world leaders.

"They helped to create a world in which female political leadership would not continue to be an exception, but a valid expectation. These women refused to be defined by the constraints that sought to confine them particularly in the realm of politics," she argued. (Jamaica Observer)

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Works Ministry rushes to seal sea breaches after extensive flooding in communities

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ontractors of the Public Works Ministry on Wednesday rushed to seal the sea breaches at Hyde Park, Parika and Mosquito Hall, Mahaica, which had caused severe flooding in residential areas When Guyana Times International visited Parika just after noon on Wednesday, contractors were finishing up works at Hyde Park, where there was a breach caused by the erosion of the exiting earthen embankment. This had resulted in floods affecting residents along the bank.

The contractors built a wooden wall facing the river and compacted dirt on the inner side to act as a sea defence.

While the water in the area had receded since the day before, residents in the area were

still feeling the effects of the previous day’s floods.

Shop owner, Mohamed Hakiem, related to this newspaper that when he left home on Tuesday morning, there were no floods, but upon his return, the bottom flat of his house and the yard were flooded.

The man said there was approximately 12 to 14 inches of water in his kitchen while his yard had about one foot of water. He said he suffered a lot of losses because of the floods.

Hakiem mentioned that his refrigerator stopped working, along with the some other appliances such as his vacuum cleaner and electrical sewing machine. In addition, several items from his shop were damaged.

Meanwhile, another resident, Bernadette Russell, told this news-

paper that her property was also flooded. The woman pointed out that the water had swept through the bottom flat of her home, reaching the front of her yard.

According to the woman, she went out early Tuesday morning and upon her return around 07:00h after receiving a call that her yard was flooded, she found about two feet of water in her home. The woman said all the items that were on the floor in her home had gotten wet.

Structural works were also done at the Mosquito Hall/ Lancaster area where there was a huge breach on the inner side of the wave wall in the area.

Residents had complained about the damages caused by the 3.18 metre high tide which resulted in the collapse of a large section of the

Budget did not cater for the needs of Guyanese – AFC

A

lliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Veersammy Ramayya said the needs of the majority of Guyanese will again go unmet with the budget presented

by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh last week.

Making his contributions to the budget debate on Monday, Ramayya contended that the Finance Minister’s budget was nothing but an insult to the theme “A Better Guyana for All Guyanese”.

According to Dr Ramayya, the half cup of black coffee on the front cover of Dr Singh’s budget speech represents the decline of GuySuCo with sugar workers being stripped of the basic necessities.

“The leakage of the cup is a decline of Dr Jagan’s legacy which resulted into a minority government.”

He argued that US$200 million could have been spent to rehabilitate all of the estates countrywide, rather than be utilised on a factory that continues to perform below par; at 35 per cent.

Ramayya told the House that the AFC Action Plan would have produced a better budget, noting that sugar workers would have been given an increase in their wages so “that their coffees could have been flooded with nuff milk and sugar. This is

AFC MP Veersammy Ramayya

a direct impact,” he said.

Poor management

He is of the opinion that the AFC Action Plan would have met the needs of the Guyanese people. The AFC MP said it was poor management, top down that led to the sinking of the industry.

“Since 2011, the Minister has advised us that he has injected close to Gy$10 billion in the sugar belt, but the industry continues to struggle… this is again a direct impact.”

Old Age Pension

Turning his attention to the Old Age Pension Scheme, Ramayya said the Gy$625 increase is totally insufficient.

From May 1, the Old Age Pension would be increased to Gy$13,125.

The monthly cash supplement has increased from Gy$3500 in 2006 to Gy$12,500 in 2012. But even with these gradu-

al increases, AFC is still not pleased. According to the AFC MP, pensioners should be given Gy$20,000 per month.

According to him, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran continues to boast about significant strides in the health sector while there continues to be a shortage of key medical supplies and equipment. “Instead of building a Specialty Hospital costing billions, why not upgrade the prevailing health facilities to enhance health care for our people,” he added.

defence. The residents had also cried out that not only were they affected by floods, but also incurred losses due to the damage of crops.

The Public Works Ministry said on Tuesday that during the spring tide period, the highest tide was experienced on March 31 at a height of 3.22 metres.

However, it noted that gusty winds coincided with the high tides, along the coast causing an elevation in waves and consequential overtopping in some areas.

“The Ministry continues to monitor all vulnerable areas and undertakes preventative maintenance and emergency repairs on criti-

The repaired defence at Hyde Park, Parika

cal sea and river defences where necessary,” the statement said.

“It should be noted that major reconstruction works have been scheduled for Mosquito Hall/Lancaster under the 2014 Sea Defences

Capital Programme. A tender was publicly advertised for works at Mosquito Hall and were opened on February 2014.

The Ministry is currently awaiting award of the contract,” the statement said.

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APNU MP calls for tougher action to curb 'rum culture' in Guyana

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Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Volda Lawrence on Tuesday called on Government to do something to stem the out-of-control rum culture in Guyana, saying statistics on alcohol abuse do not make for good reading.

Lawrence made the comments during her budget presentation. In a very dramatic fashion, she whipped out a bottle of rum as she called the House’s attention to the abuse of alcohol and its damaging effects.

Despite being cautioned by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman to put away the bottle of alco-

hol, she made her case for Government to monitor and curb the high intake of alcohol.

In 2009, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) identified alcohol as Guyana’s number one drug problem, stating that the consumption rates by teenagers, in particular young girls, are increasing and giving rise to serious social problems. Studies have also indicated that the consumption of alcohol also affects one’s judgment, mood, reaction time, physical coordination and concentration.

It often leads to inappropriate sexual behaviour, unwanted pregnancies, and violence.

APNU MP Volda Lawrence holding a bottle of XM Rum in Parliament as she called on all members to work to monitor and curb the high intake of alcohol by Guyanese

Despite all its negative impacts, alcohol remains easily accessible in Guyana, Lawrence complained to the House, noting that alcohol continues to get cheaper as vendors operate outside and above the laws of Guyana. “I am concerned like several members of the teaching profession of the high rate of consumption by our children and women. The easy access with which our children acquire this drink is worrying and ought to be a concern to us, the legislators and the Government,” she said.

According to the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, in 2013, there was a 114 per cent increase in the number of reports on children who appeared before probation officers, sent to the New Opportunity Corps, under supervision, and on parole. Lawrence called on the National Assembly to do something to arrest the situation, noting that the abuse of alcohol is directly linked to the many road accidents.

Differently-able

Turning her attention to the differently-able, Lawrence argued that

this group of citizens has been left by the wayside.

She singled out the David Rose School For The Handicapped in Thomas Lands, Georgetown as one institution that is underdeveloped with an environment, teaching methods, and resources dating back to the 16th Century.

Additionally, she said the School for the Blind housed in the St Roses School is the most inappropriate place for any child, much less a child with a disability.

Lawrence also zoomed in on the abuse of women and girls, noting that this group faces a threat not from outside forces but from within. She cited the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population 2013 Report on “Motherhood in Childhood”, which noted that while there has been significant progress in improving girls’ access to education over the last two decades, a high percentage of girls have low aspirations, low self-esteem and self-worth.

According to the APNU MP, the issue is further compounded by promises from older men of a better life.

‘Rodney Inquiry is not driven by political ... from page 3

that the selection of the Commissioners was done exclusively by the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and the Attorney General.

As regards the ToR, he said it was felt that it is imperative that it be so crafted, to as far as possible, recreate for the benefit of the Commissioners, the political atmosphere and environment which existed in Guyana at the time when Dr Rodney was killed.

“Indeed, it would have been myopic and self-defeating if the inquiry was circumscribed by its own Terms of Reference from venturing beyond June 1980. It is a fact of public notoriety that Rodney’s death was not an isolated event, but has its genesis in series of events beginning with his public and political activism after his refusal of employment at the University of Guyana, which culminated with the fateful events on June 13th, 1980.

“I really do find it more than passing strange that the party which Dr Rodney led and whose membership was so closely connected with these events would now want to prevent them from being investigated. I expected the opposite. Indeed, it is my hope that all the public statements which were made both prior and subsequent to the death of Dr Rodney by the leaders of the Working People’s Alliance at the time, including the numerous pamphlets and publications of Dayclean will be considered by the Commission,” the President said.

Additionally, he said it is his sincere hope and expectation that “every WPA leader, member and supporter who may have relevant information will appear before the Commission. I have no doubt that this information will greatly assist the Commission in discharging its mandate.”

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Jagdeo will break his silence, Rohee warns critics

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eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee has urged critics of former President Bharrat Jagdeo to be “on the lookout”, hinting that he will have “the last laugh” when he breaks his silence on the slew of attacks and allegations that have been made by the Opposition and its media agents.

Rohee has also strongly maintained that the party stands firmly in support of the former President and his successor President Donald Ramotar as he condemned attempts being made by external forces to create factionalism and division within the ruling party’s camp. “… at some point in time, Jagdeo may break his silence to deal with the political barnacles.

It is to be assumed that he will have much to say and to expose. What he will say is anybody’s guess, but this much we can expect; instead of saying things to divide the party or to undermine President Ramotar, as some want to believe, Jagdeo will certainly have the last laugh,” Rohee stated.

“They just can’t take it,” he said, referring to those who are hurling a barrage of attacks at the party’s leadership be-

the tenure of the party’s founders, Dr Cheddi and Janet Jagan, pointing out that it was defined by both internal and external struggles as debates and discussions were always intense on a wide range of issues.

Bitter

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Home Affairs Clement Rohee

cause of the notion being peddled that Jagdeo has too much influence within its ranks and the country generally when compared to the sitting President.

He said that critics were attempting to “weaken” the PPP/C, including in this category, ex-executives and leaders, who are dragging the party through murky waters and mud in the public domain.

“These masqueraders blame Ramotar for Jagdeo’s abiding political influence in the country, while they blame Jagdeo for damaging the party’s political fortunes, pretending to have the party’s interest at heart.

And as if this was not enough ‘the core leadership’ of the party is ac-

cused of succumbing to the personal ambition of Jagdeo,” the General Secretary said.

Self-explanatory

He said the party remains proud of the accomplishments made under Jagdeo’s tenure, saying that the track record of the PPP/C is sound and self-explanatory.

Rohee has also rubbished accusations that any one leader has a grip on the party’s throat.

“Neither the General Secretary, the President nor former President can impose a policy initiative on the party’s leadership because simply of the positions they hold,” Rohee argued, stating the make-up of the party makes this “impossible”.

He reminisced on

Gov’t, U.S. Embassy hold talks on governance ... from page 6

Development] on democracy and governance,” Razick said.

He said the ambassador reaffirmed the U.S.’s interest in active Government engagement in and support for the programme, which has among its aims the enhancement of consensus-building in the National Assembly, the strengthening of citizen’s engagement with the National Assembly, supporting civic and voter education on local governance and local government elections, and expanding women and youth participation in civic processes.

Since its introduction, the ruling administration has had several reservations over the US$300 million project, including issues with its design and implementation. U.S. Government had informed that the USAID Project is intended to address the lack of compromise and consensus, which have dogged

the work of Parliament since the 2011 elections.

The USAID LEAD programme will be implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI). It also has a primary objective of supporting Guyanese stakeholders’ effort to promote effective and responsive democratic institutions.

Late last year, the programme, which is expected to last for some two years, was halted because of its rejection by Guyana’s Government.

The administration had said that its inputs were not included in the final product.

Opposition Leader David Granger had also expressed disappointment over the halting of the project.

He said while the Opposition was not a key party in the discussions on the way forward, it remains supportive of the thrust of the LEAD Project and the role it could play in

strengthening the local government system through enhanced public education.

The Opposition had also denied being part of meetings with the U.S. Embassy officials to discuss components of the project.

Rohee admitted that the criticisms from exparty comrades who were either expelled or alleged that they were “driven out” are not new.

He said some of these leaders are merely bitter and have proclaimed

themselves to be the “true ones” because they chose to leave, while deeming those who had the “staying power” and commitment to remain in the struggle as “sycophants”, “subverted” and “stilled”.

He cited the alliance between some Opposition-aligned media houses, their news editors and senior journalists that launch “scurrilous and baseless attacks against the PPP/C” with the aim of turning the minds of Guyanese

against the party and Government.

Rohee said there is little or no criticism of the Opposition because the aim is to weaken the ruling party, but this will not occur.

“These developments are not unique to the PPP/C… a tour of the political landscape would show it strewn with political has-beens, wannabes, failed presidential aspirants, victims of red carpet fever, political charlatans and narcissuses,” he noted.

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Cocaine in awaras suspect released Children were poisoned – PM report H - mother still recovering under police guard at hospital

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he autopsies performed on the remains of one-yearold Jabari Cadogan and four-year-old Odecia Cadogan have proven that they were poisoned, but samples were reportedly taken to be further analysed.

The post-mortem was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary on Monday. He gave the cause of death as insecticide poisoning.

On the other hand, Mayon Hunte, a relative of the dead children, said that now that the bodies are handed over to the family, they will make funeral arrangements.

The children are likely to be laid to rest on Sunday at Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara.

Nevertheless, Awena Rutherford, the woman who is believed to be responsible for the children’s death is still in hospital, but doctors are closely monitoring her condition. Up to late Monday afternoon, the woman was vomiting and from all indications, she would have swallowed the poisonous substance.

Dead: Odecia Cadogan

Dead: Jabari Cadogan

A hospital official described her condition as serious, noting that it would take days before the full impact of the tablet takes effect, and as such, they are on the alert.

Rutherford is currently under police guard.

Rutherford allegedly consumed the tablets at her Perth, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home after she would have fed the children several of the tablets.

On Thursday last, Rutherford reportedly called the father of her children, Jabari Cadogan Sr, who resides in the U.S. and they reportedly got into an argument.

She then left and went to pick up the children who had spent the day at their father’s sister in

Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara. While there, the woman reportedly told her children’s paternal aunt that she will get a surprise for her birthday which was the following day.

Later that evening, relatives were informed that the young woman had allegedly poisoned the children and herself.

The father of the children was reportedly trying to get the children overseas and relatives speculated that this might have caused the woman’s action, while others claimed that the woman was stressed from an abusive relationship with another man that recently ended.

Relatives claimed that the man used to abuse Rutherford and had even threatened her.

aimraj Singh, 41, of Dundee, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara and a custom’s broker who were arrested on Wednesday following the discovery of six kilograms of cocaine in fake awaras were released as the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) hunts for a third person.

A senior rank of the drug enforcement unit told Guyana Times International that the men were released over the weekend, but they are expected to visit the agency at regular intervals.

The official added that while the shipment of awaras was in Singh’s name, they are still to establish whether the cocaine was actually his or someone else’s.

The official added that once CANU wraps up its investigations, charges will be instituted but as of present, it is concentrating on locating the third person for questioning.

Singh and the customs broker were last Thursday morning arrested by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) after they allegedly attempted to smuggle the cocaine in fake awaras through the Cheddi Jagan

The batch where the fake awaras was discovered

International Airport (CJIA).

According to information received, the cocaine was wrapped in plastic in the shape of awaras and sprayed with a similar colour as the fruit.

Stems were then glued on to the fake awaras to make them look real.

CANU ranks made the discovery as they were checking the fruits at CAMEX, a shipping company. As they searched the awaras, the ranks reportedly felt a difference in texture; thus, a decision was taken to examine the fruits further.

As they examined them, they realised that the fake awaras were placed among the real ones with the intention of shipping the cocaine.

CANU’s head James

Singh told this newspaper that the drug was destined for Canada and was supposed to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines flight.

He added that during the examination of the awaras, one was ripped open and a whitish substance was seen. The shipper and the broker were questioned about the cargo which was registered in the shipper’s name.

In the past, there have been many instances where drugs were intercepted by CANU hidden in pepper sauce, achar, star apple, pumpkin, cabbage, chowmein, among other items. For 2013, CANU has seized in excess of 90 kilograms of cocaine, with most of them being intercepted at the CJIA.

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Queens-based Guyanese killed in - driver released accident while home on holiday on bail

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he minibus driver who allegedly caused the death of a 58-year-old U.S.-based Guyanese at Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, is yet to be charged. However, he was released on bail.

Around 20:00h on Wednesday evening, Mohan Lall of Queens, New York City, was struck down by a speeding minibus on the

Greenwich Park Public Road. He reportedly died on the spot after the minibus struck and flung him several feet away from where he was crossing the road.

Guyana Times International understands that the police are still conducting investigations into the matter. This newspaper was reliably informed that investigators are preparing a file

Popular Guyanese community activist passes on in New York

Jagdesh Mohunlall

By Vishnu Bisram

J

agdesh Mohunlall, a Berbician-born and a prominent community activist in New York, passed away due to a massive heart attack last Sunday.

Mohunlall had an illustrious career as a community advocate in New York fighting for social justice and equality for all and joined other nationalities in lobbying for same. He was a pillar of strength in the Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean community. His many activities touched the lives of thousands.

Mohunlall served for five years as President of the Indo-Caribbean Federation (ICF) that has been organising the annual Indian Arrival Day celebrations at the Smokey Park in Richmond Hill since 1985 and the annual cricket match between Guyana and Trinidad for the past 23 years.

He served as a tax auditor for New York State for over 20 years.

He was certified as an auditor against tax fraud. He also taught Accounting briefly, as an adjunct, at Manhattan Community College of CUNY.

Although he had a lot of clients, he is best known for his community work. Even though he had withdrawn from leadership activities in recent years due to ill health, he remained as a Director of the IndoCaribbean Federation (ICF) and was very supportive to other.

Many expressed the view that Mohunlall used his office to encourage people to make donations to the Federation that sponsored many activities beneficial to the Guyanese diaspora.

It could be recalled that he also joined the New York struggle during the late 1980s and through 1992 for the restoration of democracy in Guyana attending protest marches and obtaining signatures in petition drives. Although he was not as active as some of us in the antidictatorial struggle, his contributions were vital to sustaining activities to bring down the PNC dictatorship and restore democratic rule in 1992 under Cheddi Jagan.

The ICF, under the leadership of President Ralph Tamesh and the executives, express their deepest sympathies to the family of this stalwart.

to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

Investigators are yet to take statements from witnesses; as such, they had to release the driver, popularly known as “Gunman” from Leonora, West Coast Demerara on bail over the weekend since the constitutional 72 hours for detainment would have expired on Sunday. A post-mortem examination conducted on Friday revealed that the 58-year-old man died as a result of multiple fractures about the body.

He had suffered a broken neck, ribs, hands, and feet.

The man had arrived in Guyana some six weeks ago and was staying at a

Dead: Mohan Lall

family friend across the road, where he was heading at the time of the accident.

Lall was immediately rushed to the Leonora Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors. Halima

Mohamed, with whom Lall was staying, related that the man came to do some renovation work on his home located across the road.

She revealed that on the night of the accident, he had gone to check on his house, but took a long time, causing her to get a bit worried.

“I tell my husband ‘Mohan ain’t come back yet’ and as soon as I say that, we hear the hard impact and everybody run out and we see he pitch and fall in front we house,” she recalled.

The woman recounted that after noticing that it was Lall, she immediately alerted her husband and told him to bring out the vehicle so they can

take him to the hospital.

“Neighbours start come out and by the time we take out the vehicle, they say he dead. We couldn’t do anything, that was it, so we call the police,” she noted.

Mohamed pointed out that the bus driver stopped after hitting Lall, but instead of going to render assistance, he caught another vehicle and reportedly went to the police station.

The grieving woman disclosed that Lall got into an accident years ago and was badly injured.

He was hospitalised for months and steel was inserted in his right leg.

Lall leaves to mourn his wife, daughter and other relatives.

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NEWS

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LIAT appoints new CEO

L

IAT Airlines on Monday announced it has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The regional airline said the appointment of David Evans will be effective from April 22. Evans assumes the chief executive post, succeeding Julie Reifer-Jones, who had been Acting CEO since the resignation of Captain Ian Brunton in September 2013.

According to LIAT, the British national is a results-driven executive with more than 35 years of experience in senior roles within the aviation industry. Between 1975 and 1997, Evans served as Airport Manager, Country Manager, and Area Manager with British Airways in East Africa, Saudi Arabia, France, Philippines, China, Denmark, and the United States. In the latter role, he held responsibility for the airline’s activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 1997, he became Managing Director of British Airways Regional, a position he held until 2001 when he became Managing Director of British Airways CitiExpress and BA Connect, serving in that capacity for six years.

Speaker lifts ban on Manickchand S

New LIAT CEO David Evans

He joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2007 and under its auspices served as Chief Operating Officer of Zambian Airways in 2007.

In 2009, he joined Kuwaiti start-up airline Wataniya Airways as Chief Commercial Officer. Since then, he has provided strategic and commercial consultancy services to Egypt’s Nile Air and other organisations in the Middle East.

Evans, who speaks English, Spanish, French, German and Mandarin Chinese, holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Lancaster University and Combined Honours in Modern Languages from Wadham College, Oxford University.

(Guyana Times)

peaker of the National A s s e m b l y Raphael Trotman has lifted the ban on Minister of Education Priya Manickchand from speaking on the current budget debates.

Trotman on Tuesday had instructed Manickchand to apologise to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member Jaipaul Sharma after she shouted comments from across the floor when APNU’s Volda Lawrence was expressing the need for young girls and women to be protected from men who often get away with statutory rape.

Impossible to apologise

Her refusal to apologise had resulted in her being barred from the 2014 National Budget debates. In her lengthy statement via social network, the Education Minister said the Speaker of the House in his reprimand was genuinely trying to uphold the high standards laid out for the budget debates.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Manickchand said she was not referencing to the sitting member of the National Assembly, but made it clear to whom she was referring.

While apologising for the disruption she caused in the House, she said “I found it impossible to apologise for making the remark.”

Justifying her move, the Education Minister said she is aware of alleged sexual abuse of women and children by (name given) not once

but many times.

The last matter she said was brought to the attention of the public in April 2010 by the late Member of Parliament (MP) Everall Franklin and a “very brave journalist”.

Allegation

While reiterating that she did not want to offend the Speaker of the House or to be seen as a disrespectful individual, she could not have simply apologised.

“My refusal to apologise was because I felt like I

would be betraying and abandoning the victims of rape and child rape (pedophilia), generally simply because it was at that point, inconvenient for me to stand on the side of those victims,” she explained.

Manickchand said she would not abandon the victims of rape simply to make the National Assembly happy. The Education Minister and former Human Services Minister recalled that Public Works Minister Robeson Benn had advised her to apologise, but it was then she justified her actions.

“I explained to him that victims have said to me many times that they believe they will almost always be left alone and asked to forget what happened, not talk about it, because of the perceived need for and importance of preserving family relations…”

It was emphasised that the destruction caused by “hushing up” this kind of behaviour is evident.

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Canada is willing to help President meets Berbice rice develop small businesses in farmers to discuss plight Guyana – High Commissioner Credit Bureau was the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry’s (GBTI) Risk Management Initiative, which came on stream in February 2014, following collaboration between Canada and the bank.

Comprehensive model

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Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicola Giles

anadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles has recommitted her country’s readiness to help Guyana foster economic growth among Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

According to Dr Giles, SMEs are the unsung heroes of economic development, with larger companies often taking spotlight. Speaking at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Annual General Meeting (AGM), she said as part

of its objective to engender Sustainable Economic Growth in Guyana, Canada continues to give much needed support to local SMEs. Last November, Canada financed the establishment of a Credit Bureau, helping to improve business opportunities and simultaneously offering support to small and medium businesses. The Credit Bureau provides information on prospective borrowers and their credit worthiness.

Complementing the

“This initiative will design a more comprehensive prediction model that is specifically tailored for the SME sector, one that is not only based on financial ratios derived from accounting data,” the Canadian Higher Commissioner said, adding that the timeliness of the Risk Management Initiative will help small and medium businesses to take advantage of a plethora of commercial opportunities, including those offered by the presence of Canadian mining companies working with Guyana.

Boasting of the great accomplishments made by Canada, Dr Giles pointed out that Canadian companies are leaders in the extractive sector, both at home and continued on page 26

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A section of the gathering during the meeting with President Donald Ramotar and other key stakeholders in the rice industry

ice farmers in Berbice on Saturday told President Donald Ramotar about their plight in securing better prices for their paddy and their anxiety regarding the lack of markets for the bumper rice crop.

Ramotar while assuring that his Government was doing all in its power to improve the situation, congratulated rice farmers for a job well done, having produced a record 535,000 tonnes last year.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that rice has been having tremendous success over the years, and farmers’ enthusiasm has resulted in the 2012 production reaching over 400,000 tonnes.

“I want to congratulate you for the tremendous work that you have been doing. Your effort has helped in the development of our country.

As you know, we have had the longest period of economic growth in this country and you have made a good contribution,” GINA quoted the President as saying.

Guyana has experienced eight consecutive years of economic growth averaging five per cent.

Secure drainage, new

and improved farming technologies and new rice varieties are among some of the interventions over the years, on the part of Government that have been fuelling the rice industry’s growth.

Government has also moved to secure several markets for rice farmers, the largest being Venezuela. The issue of markets, however, remains a concern in light of growing production.

Price taker

President Ramotar pointed out as well that there is the issue of generally Guyana being a price taker for its agriculture products. “We do not set the price for rice.

We have to take the price that the market gives,” he said.

The President said that one idea to perhaps address the issue is to set up a price stabilisation fund, “so that we can have a uniform price for rice for as long as possible”.

The industry is bothered by issues of exorbitant prices for fertilisers and drying facilities for rice. Government has already moved to work with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA) on providing to

farmers cheaper access to fertilisers.

On the question of drying rice, the President suggested that, “we should work together and pool resources to buy dryers to preserve rice and hold onto it for better rice”.

Government, cognisant of maintaining the strong performance of the rice industry, has set aside in Budget 2014, the sum of Gy$500 million to help maintain its competitiveness. The industry will also benefit from this year’s investment in drainage and irrigation.

“I want to assure you that every single year we have been investing more in terms of infrastructure in the budget. This year, we are putting more money in drainage and irrigation, working to eliminate flooding; both farmlands and residential areas will benefit,” he said.

President Ramotar pointed out that while the world economy is at three per cent growth per annum, Guyana has been developing at a rate of five per cent per annum, and to maintain this growth, Government will continue looking at new ways to improve the industries that have been fuelling growth of the Guyanese economy.

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Gov’t, Opposition clash over GuySuCo provisions

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ebates on the 2014 National Budget got underway on Monday with a clash between Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge as to whether this year’s estimates will have any meaningful impact on the lives of the local masses.

Both debaters led the arguments of their respective sides when the 65-seat legislature met to analyse and present perspectives on the eighth consecutive budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to the National Assembly.

Drawing first blood, Greenidge who rose to the thumping of Opposition desks, accused the Government of doctoring figures in the Gy$220 billion budget to make it appear as though significant economic progress has been made.

“In looking at the budget and the figures in the estimates and at the various economic balances, one cannot avoid the impression that many of the figures have been doctored in order to facilitate balance… if you look at both revenue and expenditures, you will see this,” he said.

Greenidge wasted no time in criticising the format in which the budget was brought before the Parliament, which he opined was illegal and unconstitutional. He argued

dressed, let alone dealt with by the Government… some of the broader issues tend not to be adequately treated,” Greenidge insisted. The APNU Shadow Finance Minister warned Government about the continued bailout being offered to different sectors, warning sternly that a complete reversal of existing policies that are aimed at fuelling development was necessary.

Money to sugar

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

APNU MP Carl Greenidge

strongly that the budget’s “drafters have deliberately ignored the legal and constitutional issues raised in the budget” as he stated that the Government again failed to address a long list of outstanding policy issues.

“The Government has an obligation to honour the Constitution and we, the Opposition, have an obligation to hold them to that,” Greenidge said amid heckling from the Government Members of Parliament (MPs).

The APNU executive member also dismissed the budget, explaining that it did not benefit from the input of the combined “majority” Opposition parliamentary parties.

Greenidge contended that the Government failed to address the Opposition’s insistence for the Old Age Pension to be increased to at least Gy$15,000.

Other issues related to salaries for public employees, the appointment of Regional Executive Officers, professional reporting by the National Communications Network (NCN), Government Information Agency (GINA) and the autonomy of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) were not “treated adequately” or even dealt with in some cases, he noted.

“None of these matters have been properly ad-

He also criticised the administration’s decision to give more subsidies to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), arguing that the entity and industry continue to be mismanaged by the Government.

Greenidge said the problems confronting the industry were not new and had the Government piloted the necessary reforms and taken certain decisions, it would have been better off today.

He related that neither the sugar workers nor the weather was the reason the industry was failing, but rather poor Government policy and its continued political interference at the highest level.

But Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali did not share the sentiments expressed by the APNU MP. Starting his presentation with a bang as well as much energy and enthusiasm, Ali wasted no time in registering support for the measures contained in this year’s budget.

The Minister said the budget was “realistic” and “speaks to the issues facing our population”.

Striking back at Greenidge, Ali said the Opposition member’s presentation served as testimony that the budget presented is good for Guyana because he failed to strategically or specifically point to any measure or policy in the multibillion dollar budget that was undeserving of the Opposition’s support.

Minister Ali cautioned Greenidge against speaking about the economic soundness of the budget presented

by Dr Singh as he reminded Greenidge of his own track record as Finance Minister during the PNC administration.

“When it comes to Ashni, his legacy in managing the economy is solid as a rock… but the Honourable member Greenidge stands on sinking ground.”

He said despite the criticisms, Guyana’s economy continue to outperform the economies of other Caricom, Caribbean and Latin American nations, recording another year of above average growth.

“I rather have an accountant presenting my budget than an economist who took us to the poorest state in our history,” Ali remarked. He accused Greenidge and the APNU of failing to present any sound alternative to the budget presented by Dr Singh.

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West Coast man dies IDB signs agreement to promote renewable energy in the Caribbean after bottle lashing

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he InterA m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) says it has signed an amendment with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to a 2011 Memorandum of Understanding and a 2012 Framework Agreement to support renewable energy and energy efficiency for the mitigation of climate change in Central America and the Caribbean.

Under this amendment, the target amount of JICA’s co-financing for this programme, known as “Co-financing for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency” (CORE), will be increased to US$1 billion from a previous amount of US$300 million, “as well as the eligible beneficiaries will be expanded in Central America and the Caribbean”, said the IDB in a statement on Saturday.

It said the amendment was signed be-

A

tween IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and JICA’s Senior Special Advisor Kunio Okamura during the IDB’s 2014 annual meeting in Brazil.

The co-financing programme was a result of several agreements between the IDB and JICA, the most recent in March 2012, focussing on strategic partnerships on renewable energy and energy efficiency, “a key component of the bank’s response to climate change adaptaIDB President Luis Alberto Moreno

tion and mitigation”.

Under the terms of the bank’s General Capital Increase agreed by the Board of Governors in 2010, the IDB said it sets a target of 25 percent of total lending to be dedicated to climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability and renewable energy.

It said one of the key priorities of the JICA is to increase assistance and strengthen sustainable energy and climate change operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Member-countries that already are eligible for JICA financing are: Belize, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica and Nicaragua.

(Antigua Observer)

father of one is now dead after he was struck with a bottle to his head while consuming alcohol at his friend’s home at Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara.

The incident occurred about 15:00h on Tuesday.

Hours after the incident, Mahendra Singh, 38, also called “Fat Boy”, formerly of Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara was found in a semi-conscious state at his employer’s home at Lot 76 Public Road, Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo.

Moments after the discovery, Singh was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His head reportedly bore a gaping wound.

According to information received, Singh was at a friend’s house when an argument broke out between them during which the suspect who is now in police custody, picked up a bottle

Dead: Mahendra Singh

that he was struck to the head with a rum bottle.

After seeing blood oozing from her brother’s head, she took a pair of scissors, cut around the wound and dressed it.

In tears, she explained that she gave him money to catch a bus after he said he wanted to go to Philadelphia.

Another sister, Anita (only name given) told Guyana Times International that about 06:00h, her brother’s employer, Ramdat Basdeo turned up at their home

The house in which Mahendra Singh was found dead

and struck Singh to the head. After the incident, Singh went to his sister’s home where his wound was attended to, and subsequently left for his employer’s home.

Police in a statement said they have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Singh whose motionless body was discovered about 05:30h on Wednesday.

Police investigations thus far revealed that during Tuesday, Singh and another man were imbibing at a house at Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), when an argument started between them. During the argument, he was allegedly struck to the head with an object.

However, the dead man’s sister, Babita (only name given) said her brother visited them on Tuesday morning about 06:00h, but after spending some time, he left and went to his friend’s home where the drinking started.

The woman said about 14:45h, he returned home and warned against having his friend at her house, claiming

and informed them that her brother was found on the ground, and was not responding. He offered to take her to the hospital.

Anita said she was confused and thought that instead of the man coming to collect her, he could have taken her brother to the hospital.

While he was at their home, the sister said the man received a telephone call presumably from his wife who alerted him that the man might be dead.

“We jump in his vehicle and went to the house… there we see meh brother lying on his face and was not moving and I start scream, knowing he dead.”

The sister added that they reported the matter to the Parika Police Station and upon arrival, the police advised them to take him to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where they pronounced him dead.

The police are awaiting the report from the post-mortem examination as they continue their investigations.

Singh leaves to mourn his three sisters and a son. His body is at the Ezekiel’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

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Smuggling cocaine in agri products hampering trade

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gro-processors across the country on Friday expressed frustration over the use of raw and processed fruits and vegetables to smuggle illegal substances out of the country, saying it has been having a negative impact on their small-scale businesses.

The producers were at the time speaking at an Agro-Processors Forum held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The event was hosted by the Agriculture Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) to focus on issues affecting the performance and development of the agro-processing industry.

One of the major issues raised by the processors at the forum was the frequency of cocaine busts at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in which processed and semi-processed foods such as achar and pepper sauce are used.

Processed foods on display at the Guyana International Conference Centre on Friday

These two products are the most profitable commodities for a majority of processors.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, Savoury Food Products Managing Director Melissa Barnwell lamented that the situation has been severely affecting the performance and profitability of her business.

The manager stated that she has a market in

Jamaica to which she supplies various pepper sauces, seasonings and other processed products on a monthly basis, but due to the frequent drug busts at the airports, she suffers huge losses on every shipment.

there would open every bottle or container with

the end of the month. And you cannot raise the prices for your products to facilitate this because the consumers would not want buy it, so I will lose my market,” she explained.

Echoing her sentiments was Nateram Ramnanan, proprietor of Original Juices from the Cinderella County.

The man stated that too often he incurs losses from his already not so profitable business and thinks that more can be done to facilitate agro-processors in the export of their goods.

Ramnanan exports a large quantity of fruit juices, particularly to Canada, through the country’s premier airport.

become apprehensive in purchasing his products, resulting in a loss of potential customers.

“We all know that overseas people like to take back things like achar, pepper sauces and so on when they come to Guyana, but because of the harassment and time consuming procedures that you have to go through, they don’t bother to take it with them when they are going back, even if they want to,” he lamented.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy told Guyana Times International that the Ministry is currently in the process of implementing a number of measures and

Callous checking

“When I’m exporting my products or I go through the airports with my products, the officers

This young man samples one of the products on display

Persons examining some of the processed products showcased at the Agro-Processors Forum

sometimes … no respect for your property. They don’t care how they open it as long as it opens and many times I would have to replace a lot of those bottles and labels. It isn’t easy because it is very expensive for me to import my packaging materials.

When I have to keep replacing these every month, imagine my expenses at

He related that his juices are well-packaged when taken to the airport, but after checks by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), there is much left to be desired in the appearance and presentation of his goods.

This situation, he said, has caused buyers, particularly overseas-based Guyanese and tourists to

fostering beneficial partnerships with relevant parties.

The Ministry, he said, is currently holding talks with the Home Affairs Ministry and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and hopes that a satisfactory agreement can be crafted to address the agro-processors’ complaints.

Parents of slain taxi driver says he never troubled anyone

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ays after being threatened, an East Coast Demerara taxi driver was on Friday evening executed in his car.

Roopchand Darsan, 24 of Lot 98 Logwood, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was discovered with a single gunshot to his head in his car around 00:30hrs.

According to reports, the bullet entered the young man from his neck just under his chin and exited from the top of his head. At the time of the discovery, his car was found with its front in a trench with the young man slumped over the steering wheel.

His hands were on the wheel and he was still wearing his hat. The engine of the car was reportedly running with

music booming through the built in-speakers.

At the home of the former Bladen Hall Secondary School student, his mother told Guyana Times International that she last saw her son about 18:00h when he left for work. She said that after his father left for work at about 21:30h, she looked out from her verandah and saw his car and telephoned him to find out what time he was returning home. She said that he was not feeling well since he was suffering from the flu.

During their telephone conversation, he reportedly told her that he was going to come home in 30 minutes time; and as such, she retired to bed.

The devastated moth-

Dead taxi driver Roopchand Dave Darsan

er said that she was awakened by the voices of several people and upon getting up, she was told that her son was shot and was in his car at Stratsphey, Railway Embankment. The woman said that she hurried to the scene where she saw him in the car, but

The parents of the dead taxi driver

the police did not allow her to see him.

In tears, the woman related that after a while, the car was pulled from the trench, her son’s body was removed and placed into a hearse and taken away.

The police, she added, then towed the car to the Vigilance Police Station.

Motive

As the woman poured out her emotions, she said her son never troubled anyone and was not sure of the motive behind

the killing. She, however, added that a few nights ago her son was reportedly threatened at the Gajadar Service Station at Foulis, East Coast Demerara, but was not sure that his death had anything to do with that incident.

Roopnarine Darsan, the young man’s father, said that he left home at about 21:45h and at about 01:00h he received a call from his daughter informing him of the incident.

He too stated that his son is not a trouble-maker and more so, said that from all indications, it was not a robbery since all the car parts as well as his personal items were intact. GTI understands that the young man worked at two jobs to maintain his family.

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Caribbean youth entrepreneurship Dr Anthony unveils packed model receives award programme to keep youths in check

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T

Representatives pose with the award

he Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Youth Entrepreneurship (CEYE) based in Barbados, working throughout CARICOM and in some Latin American countries has won the prestigious Juscelino Kubitschek award.

The team of the CEYE has been working virtually for over ten years to help countries in CARICOM and elsewhere, including Latin America, to develop their entrepreneurship programmes and build their entrepreneurship culture.

In 2011 the CEYE established a physical presence in Barbados and in 2012 its presence was endorsed by the United Nations as a concept for other nations to replicate. The CEYE is a regional organisation, working to help young people to become self-reliant and creative to accelerate innovation and sustainable development in the Caribbean region.

The CEYE is also focused on regionalism because as the CEYE’s leader Marcia Brandon notes, ‘alone we go fast, together we go far’.

Brandon is a wellknown name in entrepreneurship, youth and civil society as well as “getting things done” circles.

She is recognised as the guru of youth entrepreneurship development in the Caribbean and has helped and continues to help the Caribbean to build a strong, sustainable culture of entrepreneurship from the roots up.

The CEYE leader says she cannot thank her team enough for their support, also thanking the IDB for the high recognition and all the people who have supported and bought into the vision and partnered with the CEYE over the years.

She admits that the work that she and her team undertake is not for the faint of heart, it takes long hours, a love for people and the region, as well as self belief.

The Juscelino Kubitschek award encourages self reliance.

Kubitschek was a prominent Brazilian politician who was president of Brazil from 1956 to 1961.

His term was marked by economic prosperity and political stability, being most known for the construction of a new capital, Brasília. A leader who favored long-term planning and who set high goals for Brazil’s future, Kubitschek is viewed inside the country as the father of modern Brazil.

He stands among the politicians whose legacy is held most favorably.

Kubitschek had a vision for integration through joint NorthSouth endeavors to raise the standard of living in Latin America, which he dubbed “Pan-American Operation”. That initiative led to the creation of the Inter-American Development Bank in 1959, to provide regional financing for economic, social, and institutional development. (Barbados Advocate)

mid the increase in youthrelated crimes, Government will initiate a series of programmes to channel the energies of youths in the right direction, Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has said.

Dr Anthony was at the time addressing the National Assembly during the ongoing budget debate. A National Award Scheme, courses in Fashion Design and Photography, and the launch of a filmmaking programme are among the initiatives slated to be implemented this year.

He told the House that the National Award Scheme will complement the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) Programme, which creates opportunities for young people to live positive lives.

The criteria for the scheme will be published shortly, giving the public the chance to nominate progressive young people for awards.

Over at the ER Burrowes School of Art, the new courses in Fashion Design and Photography will be woven into the school’s syllabus, in addition to a course on Art Appreciation. According to the Culture Minister, the school continues to make a positive contri-

Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

bution to Art in Guyana.

Cultural calendar

Additionally, the second Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition under the patronage of President Donald Ramotar will take place in November, the Minister announced, saying that it will be one of the marquee events for the cultural calendar in 2014.

In the area of drama, he told the House, the National Drama Festival is becoming a cultural staple, boosting drama development in Guyana. He pointed out that this year, 43 plays will enter the competition, 42 of which were written for the festival. Additionally, in an effort to enhance film

production in Guyana, the Ministry will later this year launch a programme to teach film making in Guyana. “We recognise the need to tell our own stories by producing our own films. We are hopeful that this programme will eventually grow into a full-fledged film school.”

The Culture Ministry will also be working closely with the Catholic Community to host a Documentary Film Festival.

Minister Anthony revealed that by September, the four cultural and art institutions along with the film programme will be merged into an Institute of the Creative Arts. “This could allow us to manage our programmes more effectively, and to offer some core courses on Guyanese culture in each faculty.”

Besides cultural and artistic programmes, the Government has implemented initiatives that have helped youths over the years to build upon their natural talents. These include the National Training Programme for Youth Employment, the Apprenticeship Programme, the Board of Industrial Training Programme, and the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme in the hinterland.

No room for complacency in TB fight – Chief Medical Officer

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hief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud said though there has been a significant reduction in tuberculosis (TB) cases, there must be no complacency in the fight against the disease.

Dr Persaud was delivering the feature address at the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) Staff Appreciation Ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday.

Reflecting on the history of the TB fight in Guyana, he said the country has made significant strides from the time of the first diagnosis of the organism in 1882 to 2014. He said treatments are not only disseminated for the simple forms of tuberculosis, but some of the more complicated ones.

In the past 10 years, there has been a significant decline in TB incidence from 92 per every 100,000 in 2012 to 78 in every 100,000 in 2013.

Once this trend is main-

times received support from the Guyana Chest Society. However, in 1994, the NTP received a much needed boost with additional staff under the leadership of Dr Shamdeo Persaud.

Yeoman service

Dr Roscoe McDonald proudly holding his trophy in the presence of CMO, Dr Shamdeo Persaud (at his left), Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall (immediate left) and Dr Nadia Ramcharran

tained, the programme predicts that by the end of 2005, there will be a further reduction of cases, with 60 per every 100,000.

Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall, who has been the National Tuberculosis Programme (NPT) Manager for the past 10 years, under-

scored the importance of more laboratory personnel, nurses, clinicians and community volunteers in an effort to combat the disease.

Additional health personnel to tackle the disease will help the country to operate in keeping with the 2014 World TB Day theme “Reach 3 mil-

lion, Find, Treat and Cure”.

In the past, the Georgetown Chest Clinic was recognised as the only health institution which carried the fight against TB. At the time, it was led by Dr Moti Lall, who was assisted by a small staff complement and often

“Dr Moti Lall worked for about 30 years fighting TB in Guyana until his passing two years ago,” Dr Mohanlall said.

In recognition of Dr Lall’s commitment to the fight, an award was established in his honour.

Dr Mohanlall added that HIV has been the main fuelling factor for TB in the country and in the fight against TB/ HIV co-infection. NTP must build new partners to see greater results, he lamented.

Dr Roscoe McDonald, who hails from Linden, Region 10, received the top award; the Dr Moti Lall Award, for his dedication and commitment in the fight against TB at the regional level.

Dr McDonald, one of

Guyana’s many graduates out of Cuba, said he could not have done it without the help of God, colleagues at the Linden Hospital Complex and his parents. He has pledged to continue the great work in the region.

Meanwhile, the Mazaruni Prison received the Most Improved Prison in TB Control Award while the award for the Most Outstanding Volunteer in the fight against TB went to Lloyd Henrito of Region Eight. The retired health worker has given unwavering support to the fight. The Guyana Red Cross Society was awarded for its outstanding contribution in TB community services in hinterland regions while the Food for the Poor was rewarded for fostering partnerships and reaching the less fortunate TB patients. NAPS also received an award for partnering in the fight against TB/HIV co-infection.

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After 36 years of service, Police working tirelessly to dent ganja trade in Berbice Brumell says goodbye - urges ranks to be shining example of what the Force should be

Outgoing Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell congratulating his successor, current Deputy Commissioner of Police and Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud

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ith emotions running high and a sense of pride, outgoing Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, DSM, walked onto the lawns of the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, to a cheering crowd gathered to witness his farewell parade last Friday.

Brumell, who acted in the capacity of Commissioner from December 19, 2011 until he was appointed to the substantive post on October 7, 2013, has served the Guyana Police Force for some 36 years in various departments and divisions.

During his farewell parade, he inspected the march party and took the salute of the various sections with the force such as: the band, horse riders, canine trainers, motorists and drivers.

In addressing the gathering, Brumell noted that his long and rewarding years of service to the noble organisation has ended with him spending two and a half years in the highest office of the force. He said that his journey was not an easy one since he gained and lost many friends.

The outgoing Police Commissioner opined that over the years, the Police Force has changed drastically and has lost its pride and honour.

“The honour of distinction of being an officer, male and female, has fallen. No longer is an officer respected in society; no longer is he trusted; no longer is our uniform worn with pride. I envision a Guyana Police Force where we would

return to our founding principles to ‘Protect and Serve’ and to regain the trust of you (members of the public),” he stated.

Nevertheless, he noted that over the years, efforts have been made to reverse this and make the Guyana Police Force more efficient and community-friendly.

He pointed to the fact that the SWAT team will be the new breed of officers who will be tasked with maintaining law and order along with suppressing any activities which threaten the country’s safety.

Training is critical

He explained that training remains critical within the Force and expressed his hopes that this will continue. He noted that training in crisis management is direly needed so as to prevent incidents such as the unfortunate Linden standoff. Another area, he said, that needs work is dealing with the regular man in the street and hostile targets.

In addition, he mentioned that more needs to be done in preparing the officers to deal with domestic related issues.

He stressed that there have been great advancements in technology which have already began to assist in solving crimes; however, more training is necessary to make ranks computer literate.

He urged the ranks to be the shining example of what the Force should be, and urged officers to strive to: be the best in whatever they do, regain the trust of the people, and be good example for the youths. Brumell ad-

vised the lawmen to desist from intimidating law-abiding citizens, but to drive fear into those who disregard the law.

The outgoing Police Commissioner noted that his office is a noble one and he advised his successor not to bring it into disrepute, while respecting those under him in order to gain respect from them. “I must let you know, if you treat them like crap, they will perform like crap,” he warned.

Brumell made his emotional farewell to the Guyana Police Force in the presence of his family members, President Donald Ramotar, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Army Chief-ofStaff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, senior members of the Guyana Police Force and other dignitaries, including U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt.

In his parting words as Police Commissioner, he thanked the members of the Police Force for the opportunity to serve them and also thanked his family, more so his wife, for their understanding while he was away for long hours. He also thanked God for guiding him and giving him all he has.

Brumell noted that now he will be retiring, his time will be dedicated to his family as he makes up for lost time.

He requested that his and his family’s privacy be respected, since he is now out of the spotlight.

D e p u t y Commissioner Seelall Persaud has been tipped to replace Brumell.

B

D i v i s i o n Commander Brian Joseph said the police have been working to put an end to the large-scale cultivation of marijuana along the Berbice River, but the fight against the narcotics trade must be won by citizens.

In light of recent reports of a ramping up of cultivation, Joseph informed this publication that he and his ranks in the division are working assiduously to ensure the prohibited substance that is allegedly coming from the area does not become widespread and affect or impact the community.

Guyana Times International had reported last week that large-scale ganja cultivation up the Berbice River, more specifically at De Veldt, Sand Hills, Tataballi and Gateroy, has caused much consternation among residents, with many expressing fear for their lives. According to information, some 800 pounds of marijuana cultivated there was offloaded from a small boat along the Berbice River and transported to a larger vessel, allegedly

Divisional Commander of Berbice, Brian Joseph

bound for Suriname last week.

Sources say that the financial transaction for the prohibited substance took place a stone’s throw away from the police headquarters in New Amsterdam. The substance was reportedly bought by a Dutchman.

Several residents are fearful for their lives as the illegal cultivation has been flourishing in the absence of eradication exercises for the past two years.

One resident of De Veldt, which is some 50 miles up the Berbice River, said there is an excavator worth Gy$10 million, acquired by a known “ganja entrepre-

neur”, reportedly from the proceeds of his illicit activities. Reports indicate that the excavator was purchased in Georgetown and taken to the Berbice village via river and road transport.

The ganja cultivator in question has been arrested three times for the unlawful activity, but, in the absence of concrete evidence, he was subsequently released. In 2010, the suspected drug dealer was arrested and two speedboats and other articles were seized.

Commenting on the issue, Joseph emphasised that since his installation as Commander of the Division, numerous raids have been conducted on various drug houses across Berbice in order to curb the selling of the illegal substance to persons. “We have been targeting several known drug houses across the division and even conducting raids when we receive information,” he said, pointing out that if one would look at media reports over the past two years, the division has made great strides in this area, as several arrests and convictions were made.

Janet Jagan remembered as a champion for women

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WPO Essequibo members next to the Janet Jagan (inset) Monument

ormer President Janet Rosenberg Jagan was remembered as a champion for women and pioneer of the struggle for Guyana’s development at an annual wreath laying ceremony at the Cheddi Jagan Play Park, Anna Regina on Friday.

The occasion hosted by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was held to commemorate the life of the first female President of Guyana, with speakers lauding her struggle for a just society, describing her as the Mother of the Nation.

The fifth anniversary of Jagan’s death featured poems, songs and a reflection on the life

and works of Mrs Jagan, with tributes pouring in from leaders of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said that March is a significant month for the PPP as it is a period designated to remember the lives of late presidents, Dr Cheddi and his wife Janet Jagan.

He called on women to emulate the life of Mrs Jagan, and continue the struggle for a better Guyana.

Mrs Jagan, a cofounder of the PPP, founded the WPO with the aim of mobilising women in the fight for a better Guyana.

Persaud said Essequibians are awareof Mrs Jagan’s legacy as she was the first woman elected to the Legislative Council of Parliament, representing Essequibo.

Mrs Jagan, a dental technician in her earlier days, served as Health and Labour Ministers.

Pioneer

Meanwhile, Region Two Vice Chairman and PPP First Secretary in Essequibo Vishnu Samaroo said Mrs Jagan was one of the pioneers who struggled for the development of Guyana.

He said in Essequibo, Mrs Jagan is best remembered for opening the first housing scheme at Wakenaam Success and the Huis t’ Dieren Health Centre.

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Gy$1Billion allocated in 2014 budget to ‘cleanup’ Guyana

M

inister within the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Norman Whittaker on Thursday said the Gy$1 billion allocation in the National Budget for a countrywide cleanup would fund an inter-Ministry effort.

He related that the project would see a committee being formed to brainstorm ideas to not only cleanup the city but other parts of the country. The committee will involve persons from the Ministries of Public Works, Natural Resources and the Environment and Agriculture and the City Council. He added that there are plans to include persons from the Private Sector Commission, a move he welcomed.

He further explained that the committee will be working to determine the nature and extent of work to be done and the main areas of focus, under the proposed cleanup project for the country.

Currently, he further explained, a few preparatory aspects of the project have already been determined, including public awareness.

The Minister maintained that under the Solid Waste Management European Union grant, the Local Government and

Rice board finalising rice shipment to Venezuela

A

Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker

Regional Development Ministry has been able to acquire more than 700 receptacles, which have since been placed at strategic locations throughout out the city. He said a number of these bins have been given to the City Council, schools, hospitals, and health centres, principally within the commercial area The Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had stated at a press conference on Tuesday that City Hall did not want monies from the Government but rather independence to acquire its own funds. “We don’t want handouts from the Government.

The Council wants its independence to be able to earn its own revenue.

When we offered to do the lottery, they took it over; parking meters, they took it over,” said

Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

the Deputy Mayor, adding that the Gy$500 million allocated to the city was a “joke… just a tear drop in the ocean”.

Mayor Hamilton Green told media operatives that the proposal was unnecessary, adding that he “smell a rat”.

He posited “this Gy$500 million will be for propaganda purposes, there is no suggestion that there is the vital component of sustainability, where is the sum to maintain its cleanliness over the next month or years?”

Over the years, the City Council has been at odds with the Government as it relates to the well-being of the city. The quarrel intensified in 2013 after Carol Sooba was appointed Town Clerk. The councillors have since claimed that the Town Clerk is a political tool within their organisation.

g r i c u l t u r e Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said a team from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is in Venezuela to finalise shipment of some 200,000 tonnes of rice to the neighbouring country.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on Thursday morning, the Minister confirmed that the shipment will begin as soon as arrangements are finalised between the two nations.

The Minister said he is optimistic that by now to August, some 200,000 to 250,000 tonnes of rice from the first crop would be exported.

There have been a lot of talk about the 120,000 tonnes of paddy which was left over from the last crop. However, the Minister made it crystal clear that it is normal for a quantity of rice to re-

Guyana, by August, is expected to ship between 200,000 and 250,000 tonnes of rice from the first crop

main since all the rice that comes in November and December will become stocks at hand.

“Most of that has been shipped out of the country and I expect that this year we will export between 470,000 to 490,000 tonnes,” Dr

Ramsammy said.

He said too that more rice is being consumed locally, and citizens should not be fearful of eating too much of the staple.

Guyana utilises about 100,000 tonnes of rice annually.

Gov’t moves against discriminatory laws in TT …as country celebrates Shouter Baptist Liberation Day

Antigua’s PM Spencer 'begs' for another term

P

rime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer launched a series of television addresses by ministers of his ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) on Monday night as he seeks a mandate from voters for a third consecutive term in office.

Prime Minister Spencer has not yet named a date for the polls, blaming the holding up on two matters before the Court of Appeal filed by the main Opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP).

The ALP has described the Antiguan government as illegitimate and on Monday boycotted the sitting of Parliament as a show of protest. The party has been staging pickets and other actions in a bid to force Prime Minister Spencer to name the election date.

"Over the next few weeks you will be hearing from our respective ministers of government who will provide you with an account of the stewardship of the ministry for which they had each been responsible.

I urge you to embrace the opportunity to learn about the progress which we have all made as one people, with one vision, and one mission," Prime Minister Spencer said in his broadcast.

In his 23-minute broadcast, Prime Minister Spencer told viewers that his administration had done much to improve the socio-economic situation in Antigua and Barbuda since his ruling United Progressive party (UPP) came to power in

2004.

"I trumpet the chorus that under the UPP government, Antigua and Barbuda is now securely and safely travelling on the express train to economic growth and stability with the assurance of peace and prosperity for all," Spencer said.

"The reality is that emerging from an environment of doom and gloom which had threatened the future of our twin-island state, Antiguans and Barbudans now go about their daily chores with a spirit of confidence and a posture of assurance.

"It was an expectation which our people honestly believed would have been well nigh impossible to satisfy, given the atrocities which had been inflicted upon the nation by The Antigua Labour Party government during the period 1994 to 2003."

Prime Minister Spencer said he had "every confidence that we as a people would never allow a return to those treasonous times and that, having emerged triumphantly out of the calamity that engulfed and bedevilled us, we swear never to be coerced or lured to return to those treacherous and terrifying days".

Spencer said that his UPP had "delivered" on its promises to citizens adding that "over 280 pledges and counting have been honoured over the past 10 years.

Who dares question our well deserved privilege to a third term in office?" he added. (CMC)

TT's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is escorted by Archbishop Barbra GrayBurke in the Shouter Baptist Eempoverment Hall for the Council of Elders Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith 15th anniversary of Shouter Baptist Liberation Day celebrations on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Maloney, Sunday. (Photo: Abraham Diaz)

T

he Trinidad and Tobago government will take steps to remove all laws in this country which are discriminatory against the Shouter Baptist community. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made this announcement in the House of Representatives.

The country celebrated Shouter Baptist Liberation Day on Sunday.

Dressed in gold Shouter Baptist attire, Persad-Bissessar said: “I wish to state there are still laws on our statute

books as continued discrimination against the Shouter Baptist community.”

While she did not say what those laws were, Persad-Bissessar said she will ask National Diversity Minister Rodger Samuel to look at those laws with a view to removing all the discriminatory provisions against the Shouter Baptist faith.

Declaring that in TT “every creed and race finds an equal place”, Persad-Bissessar said there is the assurance that “this is something

my government will rigorously defend and uphold”.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and House Speaker Wade Mark shared the prime minister’s views.

Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago has a strong history of embracing diversity.

“We accept we are one people and we have harmony in diversity,” he said. Mark said the occasion of Shouter Baptist Liberation Day is but one “measure of our rich diversity”. (TT Newsday)

News

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Radio station launched in Berbice P

resident Donald Ramotar on S a t u r d a y launched a radio station in Berbice, telling the audience about the gains made in press freedom since 1992 while stressing his Government’s commitment to maintaining this status.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, President Ramotar said the proprietors of Little Rock Radio, Rockcliff and Pearl Christie must be congratulated for what he described as their role with the multimillion-dollar investment.

Stating that he felt very comfortable with the ownership of the new station, President Ramotar said radio must have a developmental role as Guyana is a developing country. He stressed, however, that while radio can be used for good purposes, it can also be used negatively.

Government has opened up the broadcast frequency with several new radio and television stations being granted licences. Among the new raadio stations are Radio Guyana Inc, Telecor and Cultural Broadcasting

President Donald Ramotar, the Christies and staff of Little Rock Radio in New Amsterdam, Berbice

Inc, and Hits and Jams Entertainment.

President Ramotar highlighted the role of radio in the genocides of Rwanda a few years ago and its use by the Nazis in Germany during World War II, and urged that such situations must always be guarded against. Several key issues such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, budget cuts, and even the AntiMoney Laundering Bill which were adversely affected by the political Opposition’s stance were noted by the President who said radio must be used to keep persons informed. “More information is needed to ensure persons are aware

of the misinformation being spread by those who want to distort the truth”.

New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Harold Debydeen stated that “self-motivated and selfconfident” are the words he would use to describe the owners of the new station. He urged them to not only be entertaining but also educational, as he offered congratulations on behalf of all Berbicians.

Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mark Roopnarine said it was with great pride that he too congratulate the Christie family whom he described as a “transformational force in the

community”.

He added that they are poised to take the Little Rock brand to greater heights in the community as they transform lives by do-

ing more than just educating and entertaining people through their programming.

Congratulations were also extended by Region Six Chairman

Rockcliff Christie, Pearl Christie, President Donald Ramotar and Naomi Christie in the transmission studio of Little Rock Radio

David Armogan, who lauded the family’s pioneering efforts in various businesses throughout the years. The sharing of information, he noted, is vital and mention was made of the fact that oft times, events are reported by various media before public officials responsible for the affected areas are even officially informed.

Giving a brief history of the Little Rock business operations, Naomi Christie, daughter of the proprietors, said the company’s initial radio licence application dates back to the early 1990s, followed by a re-application in 1997. The radio station began testing on February 23, this year with feedback being garnered from the local listening audience.

The station covers the entire Berbice area and extends to the East Coast of Demerara. It is also streamed online.

The Little Rock Company began operating in the 1980s with a hotel, then expanded in 2005 with the Little Rock Suites on the Main Street of New Amsterdam. It currently employs 60 persons.

26 NEWS Gy$3.7B to power company will Canada is willing to help develop stave off tariff hike – Hinds small businesses G week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

overnment said that the Gy$3.7 billion allocation to the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) will help stave off a 12 per cent hike in tariff.

Budget 2014 provides a sum of Gy$7.7 billion to help meet the needs of electricity generation to the country. Of that amount, Gy$3.7 billion is for the GPL Inc, and its 170,000 customers, while Gy$3.2 billion is earmarked for the continuation of power subsidies to Linden and Lethem.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who has oversight for the energy sector, explained that the provisions to GPL, would see the forgoing of what should have been a 12 per cent increase in electricity tariff for GPL customers this year.

Speaking on the National Communications Network (NCN) programme, “Budget at a Glance”, the Prime Minister said on the average, a customer is getting a subsidy of Gy$22,286 this year.

This amount would vary

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

for a smaller customer, who may only be getting a Gy$5000 support for the year, and for a large customer or business, that support may run to Gy$500,000 or Gy$1 million per year, he explained.

Upgrade

The Prime Minister said the support for GPL is directed more towards capital expenditure and two programmes. The Government has been receiving assistance from the Chinese EXIM Bank and from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). In the case of the EXIM Bank, GPL has an ongoing pro-

gramme to upgrade its transmission and distribution systems. This programme is nearing completion and GPL is seeking to expand the upgrading exercise.

“It should be finished

by July, and GPL is looking to do some additional things, and that includes to start on an additional sub-station at Williamsburg on the Corentyne coast and also to expand the Number 56 Substation,” he said.

The 2014 injection to GPL provides too, for the expansion of electricity service to the islands of Wakenaam and Leguan.

He said that provisions have been made for these two Region Three island residents to have a 24hour electricity service.

Also covered are the preparatory works for the replacement of the generators at GPL power station at Anna Regina in Region Two, and for a new power station at Bartica in Region Seven.

Government had put in two new generators in Anna Regina in 1996, but now that the area has grown, and the generators are getting close to their 20-year life-span.

GPL has therefore been seeking to start preparatory work for their replacement, the PM said.

In Bartica, people have been calling for a new power station away from the waterfront.

GPL has some locations in mind and will start preparatory work in this regard this year. The money will also cost nontechnical and technical losses of electricity.

Meanwhile, in the case of Linden, with the budgetary allocation which is a provision for the benefit of 10,500 customers in Region 10, the subsidy per customer will work out to Gy$291,000 per year or close to Gy$24,000 per month on the average, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said when Linden’s average consumption is compared with Georgetown; it is about 50 to 100 per cent more.

He said that one reasonable assumption is that people in Linden could cut back their electricity consumption use to nearly half of what it is without suffering any significant loss or comfort.

in Guyana ...

abroad.

“We recognise that more needs to be done to assist our firms wherever they work in the world and to do so using the ‘Canadian model’ that aligns our political, trade and development objectives internationally.”

To ensure the required assistance is offered to Canadian companies operating abroad, last year the Government of Canada amalgamated its Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) into a single Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) to spoon out better results.

Dr Giles said too that Canada strongly believes that a Canada-Caricom trade agreement would bring about further prosperity and sustainable economic growth to both

from page 18

Canada and the Caricom region, and all its citizens.

Security

Canada has benefited greatly from its free trade agreements with other hemispheric partners. It remains optimistic that the Canada-Caricom trade negotiations will end on a successful note in June, opening avenues for Guyana and neighbouring countries to reap the benefits.

Turning her attention to security, the Canadian High Commissioner underscored the importance of security plans in the commercial sector.

To this end, Canada and Guyana have chosen to cooperate on niche, key areas of security, impacting both Guyanese and Canadian interests. In February, Guyana and Canada joined forces to tackle the threat posed by the use of fraudulent documents through the implementation of the Fraudulent Document Detection Project.

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F

-Working cohesively to help the underprivileged

ostering social and economic empowerment among underprivileged communities in the US and Guyana is the mission of the USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the president and founder US-based Guyanese philanthropist Mohan Singh said the organisation was founded in March 2011.

“Whenever I visited Guyana, I always travel to different parts of the country asking questions regarding the people’s welfare and about their children. During these visits, I realised that there is alot to be done for the poor,” Singh recalled.

In 2011, with the conception of the organisation, a two-week workshop was held in Jamaica. There, children were taught dancing, music, philosophy, drama, among others.

According to Singh, during the past three years, he and his team have visited 30 villages, from Crabwood Creek

Some of the USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc members

to Bartica, Essequibo Coast, Leguan, Wakenaam, West Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, West Coast Berbice, East Bank Berbice, and West Bank Berbice, Canjie.

“During these visits, we would give out packages for the children. We also gave out donations to every village we vis-

ited. Packages for the children included school supplies, and each child received a Hanuman Chalisa. We also visited orphanages and gave them donations. We renovated the library at Number 56 Village in 2012, and last year we donated a computer to the library. During our most recent visit to Guyana this year, we

visited the drop-in shelter on Hadfield Street to which we donated 64 backpacks with school supplies. We also donated snacks for all of kids,” Singh mentioned.

Singh added that the organisation’s ten members also give lectures on domestic violence, suicide, and dharma. In Hinduism, dharma signifies behaviours that

are considered to be in accord with order that makes life and universe possible and includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and “right way of living”.

“These discussions, so far, are proving effective. Guyana has a high rate of suicide and domestic violence and these discussions are pertinent in address-

ing these social issues.

During Hurricane Sandy in New York, we went into the Rockaways for three weekends and fed the homeless people who lost their houses and belongings,” explained Singh.

The philanthropist also stated that through the organisation, he hopes to “make a difference in the lives of the Guyanese people”. Soon, Singh and team are planning to return to Guyana to host a two-week entrepreneur workshop, and also opening their centre located at Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice. At the centre, help will be given to victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse, including counselling and medical attention.

“Our mission is to give the people the tools to change their lives, doing this through our various programmes,” Singh declared.

For more information on this organisation, visit USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc. on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Youth group making a difference in community development

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Grove-Diamond Youths In Development members distributing items from Food For The Poor to a needy family

ocused on community development and empowering youths, the Grove/ Diamond Youths in Development was established.

It is a youth-based non-profit organisation registered with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, and under the Friendly Societies Act. The organisation was established in July 2009 by a group of young people, namely Anjani Ramdial, Chattergoon Jadoopat, Andray Yagvalk and Sheik Hassan.

In an interview with

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the organisation’s secretary Anjani Ramdial stated that the “founding members thought it was a good idea to assist youths, (especially the school dropouts and the less fortunate) in the Grove/ Diamond area by creating activities that will equip and enhance them with skills, so that they may be able to help themselves as well as others”. Consequently, the Grove/Diamond Youths in Development was founded.

There are currently 50 active members who

have helped youths in the Grove/Diamond communities by facilitating the Board of Industrial Training programmes, training over 50 school dropouts in various life skills such as catering, mechanic, electrical installations and cosmetology. Additionally, the group has collaborated with the One Laptop Per Family initiative in the distribution of laptops and training of youths.

“We also host an annual Christmas party for over 300 less fortunate kids in the community. We also collaborate with Food For The Poor

and distribute monthly hampers to more than 50 less fortunate families within the community.

We also do feeding programmes, quarterly, to the people in the streets of Georgetown. We also have sports events, mainly cricket, as most youths are interested in sports. By having these activities, they are kept off from the streets and drugs because they are engaged meaningfully,” Ramdial explained.

Currently, members are working on a project in hope of making a small area at the

Diamond Community Centre a play park for the many children in that community.

Furthermore, the organisation aims to continue to help the less fortunate and to provide more educational programmes for the youths in the Grove/Diamond area. The organisation’s mission is to help youths learn a life skill so that they can become productive individuals within their community.

“All our activities are funded mainly by donations from individuals, companies and fund-

raising events by members. The members also personally contribute financially to the success of the group. We would welcome any donations of either cash or kind from any individual and/or companies towards our current project, the play park, and generally towards the NGO,” Ramdial encouraged.

For further information on this organisation, visit Grove-Diamond Youths In Development on Facebook or call 6411212. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Engaging youths in various sporting activities

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An extinct language teaches the importance of preserving our history

By Dmitri Allicock

G

uyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, but English has been the official language for much less than the 232 years when

Dutch was the main medium of communication.

The actual words spoken by most Guyanese is an English-based creole that is very elastic to various regions and has slight historical influences from Dutch, West

Africa, Arawak, and to a lesser extent Indian languages. Berbice Dutch Creole was a language developed by the slaves on the plantation of Berbice that survived the passage of time, and only a few years ago was

The Berbice Dutch Creole became extinct when Albertha Bell died

considered officially extinct by international language database, Ethnologue.

Berbice Dutch was a Dutch-based creole language of Guyana and had a lexicon partly based on a dialect of the West African language of Ijaw. In contrast to the widely known Negerhollands, Dutch creole spoken in the Virgin Islands, Berbice Creole Dutch and its relative Skepi Dutch Creole of Essequibo were more or less unknown to the outside world until linguist Ian Robertson first reported on the two languages in 1975.

Dutch linguist and professor, Silvia Kouwenberg, University of the West Indies, Jamaica, investigated the creole language, publishing its grammar in 1993. The breakdown on the language is said to be 30 per cent of eastern Ijaw (Kalabari), West African origins; 60 per cent Dutch, and 10 per cent from Arawak or Guyanese English Creole. Swadesh wordlist gives another breakdown: Dutch 57 per cent, Eastern Ijo 38

per cent, Arawak 1 per cent, and Guyanese.

The language developed from Berbice Dutch plantation colony in areas along the Berbice River as a simple means of communication between African slaves, Dutch planters, and the indigenous Arawaks.

This creole’s demise started with the moving of the plantation economy to the coast. The latter was further compounded with the takeover of the region by the English in 1814. The language was one of the first to be discarded with the prevalence of the English creole language in the British take over.

A language becomes extinct

P r o f e s s o r

ar. Although enslaved Africans constituted the majority of the colony’s population, close relationships appear to have existed between all three groups present in the colony - Africans, Arawak Indians, and (mostly Dutch) Europeans.

Guyanese have a special term for their mixed offspring, ‘bovianders’ - a word that is thought to be derived from Dutch ‘bovenlander’ (meaning ‘upriver dweller’).

In my visits to the former plantation areas of the Berbice River, I encountered many a young Berbician whose brown skin and dark curls combined with startlingly green eyes.”

She continued, “The last speakers of Berbice

The late Arnold King (right) being interviewed on the Berbice Dutch Creole

Kouwenberg, on 29 December 2011 speaking on Berbice Dutch, highlighted Arnold King and 103-year-old Albertha Bell as the last speakers of Berbice Dutch.

King and Bell were interviewed by Jamiekan Langwij Yuunit in 2004, who said, “Known to its speakers as di lanshi, Berbice Dutch is officially extinct, after the death of its last fluent speakers, Albertha Bell and Arnold King, a few years ago. They were cousins who had grown up together after Arnold King’s parents died in the flu pandemic of 1918, which reached even the very remote tributaries of the Berbice River in Guyana, in South America.

Like other creole languages in the Caribbean region, Berbice Dutch was once the language of a plantation colony. But Berbice was no typical colony: located on the infertile banks of the Berbice River, most plantations remained small, and grew crops such as anatto (a natural dye) and cocoa rather than sug-

Dutch, although without green eyes, were certainly of similarly mixed descent. Albertha Bell and Arnold King could identify both Arawak Indians and Afro-Guyanese among their forebears, and reference was also made to ‘white’ ancestors – although this may have meant light-skinned rather than European white.”

Bell and King, proud as they were of their predominantly Arawak ancestry, would have been shocked to learn that the language of their childhood years is of special interest to linguists because of its African linkages, with a group of languages spoken in the southern coastal delta area of Nigeria, the Eastern Ijo languages. Thus, Berbice Dutch words such as ‘wari’ meaning house, ‘toko’ meaning child, ‘jefi’ meaning to eat, ‘mangi’ meaning to run, ‘kali’ meaning small, ‘bifi’ meaning speak, are all decidedly un-Dutch because these are words continued on page 34

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D

ennis and Judy Shepard, parents of 21-year-old American student Matthew Shepard, who was tortured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming, USA in October 1998 because he was gay, will be visiting Trinidad.

The Shepards will arrive on April 7 and depart on April 9 according to a statement issued on Friday by Alexander McLaren, Public Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy in Port-of-Spain.

Dennis and Judy are hoping to “promote their message of understanding, compassion, and acceptance for all, regardless of sexual orientation”. According to McLaren, the visit will include meetings with civil society, a discussion forum at the University of the West Indies, and a screening of the award-winning film ‘The Laramie Project’ before an audience of specially invited guests on April 9.

The film is centred around Matthew’s killing which moved thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided

Dennis and Judy Shepard

to turn their grief into action and established the ‘Matthew Shepard Foundation’ to carry on Matthew’s legacy.

Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors.

The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness

and education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

In her role as board president, Judy travels across the United States and throughout the world speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and ex-

pression, or sexual orientation.

Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, ‘The Meaning of Matthew’, exploring the family’s journey through the prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, the ensuing media coverage, and their continuing work to advance civil rights.

Originally trained as a teacher, Judy holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Secondary

O

n March 13, ten days after his sudden passing, family members, relatives, friends and well-wishers gathered at the University Chapel in Mona, St Andrew to pay their final respects to Michael Anthony Pickersgill, former chairman of the board of Clarendon College.

He was 69 years old.

Pickersgill's brother-inlaw, Glendon Nam, remembered him as a loving husband to his wife Fay and an exceptional father to his children Shakira and Taryn.

"He genuinely loved people and was concerned about them, indeed for all humanity. Tony could not say 'no' to anyone, especially if the person was a family member.

Tony was everyone's favourite uncle because he took a keen interest in how their individual lives were developing. He was the one who was always in touch with everyone and he didn't need special occasions to do so," Nam said as he delivered the remembrance.

Pickersgill's daughter Shakira, clearly shaken by the loss of her father, said she loved and respected him unconditionally.

"There were so many facets to daddy. First and foremost, he exemplified the qualities of a true gentleman. We were often teased that we would never be able to find a partner who would match up to the qualities embodied in daddy," Shakira said.

Pall-bearers carry Michael Pickersgill’s casket. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

"He was gentle, patient, selfless, sincere and kind and went beyond the call of duty to ensure that everyone was well taken care of. He was the voice of reason and a mentor to many. He was the 'go to' guy and he never once said no to anyone. As so many have said, he had the gift of making others feel valued and appreciated. No matter how tired or busy he was, daddy always found time to give everyone special individual attention, advice and encouragement,"

she added.

She reflected on her father's health crisis in November and December 2011, when he seemed to have reached the end of the road. But miraculously he pulled through, she said.

Lifelong friend William McLeod reflected on their friendship.

"We met in a Sunday School class at the Salem Congregational Church in Chapelton and within a few days we again found ourselves

in the same class at the primary school (where) we started a life-changing friendship that lasted for 63 years," McLeod said.

Pickersgill, whose brother Robert is the minister of water, land and climate change, was enrolled in Clarendon College on January 15, 1957 at the age of 12 on a government scholarship.

Given his love for cricket, he was one of two high school boys selected in 1974 for training with the Jamaica National

Education from the University of Wyoming where she later pursued some post-graduate studies.

Dennis has been an advocate for parents’ unconditional love for their LGBT children both during Matthew’s life and, very publicly, since the hate-motivated murder in Laramie, Wyoming, which took Matt’s life at age 21.

Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Dennis earned a degree in education from the University of Wyoming before marrying Judy in 1973 and settling in Casper, Wyoming, to raise their family. An oil industry safety specialist, Dennis worked for more than 16 years in safety operations for Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, before retiring from that position in 2009. He has served on the Matthew Shepard Foundation board of directors since the organisation’s inception, and speaks to audiences around the United States particularly to victims’ advocacy organisations and law enforcement audiences about his experiences and the importance of equal treatment of LGBT crime victims and their loved ones. (TT Newsday)

Cricket Team.

After completing his studies at Clarendon College, he was awarded a Sugar Manufacturers' Association Scholarship to attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) from where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and accounts.

He was employed to West Indies Pulp and Paper and served as sales manager, general manager, managing director and chairman of the Group of Companies. In 1983, he became part-owner of the enterprise.

Pickersgill also served as the chairman of NPG Insurance Brokers Limited and Island Dairies Limited.

He was a founding member of the Rotary Club of St Andrew North. He chaired the board of the Polly Ground Primary School in St Catherine as well as Clarendon College for 20 years.

He was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 2013, was a long-standing member of the People's National Party's National Executive Council and served on several public sector boards, including the Port Authority of Jamaica.

He is survived by his wife, Fay, two daughters, Shakira and Taryn, and other relatives.

His remains were interred in the family plot at Devon Pen, St Mary.(Jamaica Observer)

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Feature

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Grove Craft Production Centre: A mission to empower

E

quipping youths with life skills for self-development, the Grove Craft Production Centre, despite its challenges, is focused on its empowerment mission.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, headmistress Sharon Redman stated that the centre caters for early school leavers from

youths coming here it motivated me to stay,” Redman revealed.

The centre comes under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Four. Programmes include embroidery, macramé, straw craft, tiedye, crochet, fabric painting, floral arrangement, and cooking and baking – among others. Apart from craft courses, English and Mathematics are offered.

The centre is located at Station Street, Gove, East Bank Demerara, next to the nursery school.

There are currently 15 girls on register, some of them coming from as far as Timehri.

Males are also welcomed at the centre, although none have expressed interest in the Learning straw craft programmes.

“Due to a lack of funding, students ages 15 to 21. The programme lasts for one year and a certificate is given upon are asked to bring along materials and completion. pay a small stipend to cover the oth“This is my 22nd year at the cen- er volunteers/teachers’ travelling extre. I was the one who proposed to the penses. Bringing their own materials RDC to open it after seeing the need for tends to hamper the timeline of the one, and they did. I travel everyday to programmes because some of them get to the centre. I’m living on the West cannot afford to purchase the items.

Bank. I’m employed by the RDC as an Most of the girls coming here are from officer and also teach at the centre. I single parent families and face finandidn’t expect to be with the centre so cial difficulties. However, we still wellong, but when I saw the needs of the come them to the centre and work with whatever they have,” she disclosed.

According to Redman, initially the centre received its first donations of a sewing machine, gas stove and baking utensils from the Demerara Distillers Limited, which she used to start the programmes. However, over the years, there has not been any support from corporate Guyana, which limits the centre’s potential.

“This year, I’m focusing on opening a garment centre right at this location. Also I’m hoping to start computer classes. However, to do this we need funding. I have approached several institutions, but to no avail. I’m also hoping this year some of our students can join the Board of Industrial Training programmes. I have submitted their names and hope this Embroidery on pillow cases would materialise soon,” she

Berbice Dutch... derived from Eastern Ijo. Essentially, Dutch and Eastern Ijo appeared to have competed in the composition of the Berbice Dutch lexicon.

Thus, we find Dutch-derived ‘man’ means man and Eastern Ijo-derived ‘jerma’ means woman; Dutch-derived ‘feshi’ means fish and Eastern Ijo-derived ‘feni’ means bird; Dutch-derived ‘grun’ means green or unripe and Eastern Ijo-derived ‘bjebje’ means yellow or ripe; Dutch-derived ‘hemdu’ means shirt and

Eastern Ijo-derived ‘bita’ means clothes, and so on.

Arnold King tells of his younger years: “Eke papa mete eke mama doto-te, an da eke grui-te mete en man. Pote Howard Hope, an shi jerma nam Alice Hope. Wel eke draite jungu man eni bara ben an eke deki-te jerma an trou-te.”

Translation, “My father and my mother died, and so it is that I grew up with a man.

Old Howard Hope, and his wife whose name was Alice Hope. Well I became a young

The Centre's headmistress Sharon Redman

and passion to help youths is commendable. Despite financial difficulties faced by the centre over the years, Redman has been able to maintain the centre’s programmes. Her dedication is certainly acknowledged. During the course of the interview, Redman received a call from the RDC’s vice chairman, who relayed she will be receiving an award for her dedicated services.

A few of the students at the centre were also interviewed. Jenesse Thomas said, “I wasn’t able to finish school. I’m from a single parent family. I came here to learn skills that will help me to earn. When I complete my studies here in December, I want to study nursing and will use what I learn from the centre to support me financially. Miss Redman is our role model and a huge support. She constantly encourages us to develop ourselves and I’m thankful for that.”

Natascia Kitt stated, “I travel everyday from the West Bank to attend classes at the centre because there aren’t any like this where I’m from. I plan to go to Carnegie School of Home Economics to continue my studies after I graduate from the centre. I’ll use what I know to support me while I’m going to Carnegie.”

Sarah Castello noted, “I do all the courses the centre offers. I didn’t get to continue schooling and so I came here to learn a skill, from which I can earn.

My future plan is to open a salon where I can also sell my craft products. I’m thankful to Miss Redman for helping us to learn a skill that will help us to become earners. She is very supportive and is our role model.”

For more information on the centre, call 265-2144. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

noted.

Redman mentioned that the centre’s programmes have been successful thus far. She pointed out that one such example is Amanda De Souza. De Souza graduated in 1997 and has returned to teach at the centre. Redman hopes businesses can join the centre to help in maintaining its empowerment programmes.

“I’m hoping hotels and other businesses can approach us to market our products so that the girls can earn something from their craft. These girls are very talented, but we just don’t have market for the work. I’m also hoping we can have a craft shop right in the Grove area to help in the marketing of the products made at the centre, which ultimately will bring in an income for the girls. I encourage businesses to reach out to us and help in empowering our youths to become earners,” Redman encouraged.

The centre’s programmes have become so popular among youths, advertisements are not sent out anymore.

Every September, persons flock at the centre to register. Like every other educational institution, the centre is governed by rules, which must be adhered to by all.

This, according to Redman, instils values that will help in self-development.

Redman’s A few of the craft items made by the girls at the centre commitment

from page 32

man in their care (literally: in their hand) and I chose a woman and married.”

Of even more interest to linguists, is the grammar of this language. Berbice Dutch has incorporated elements of the grammar of both Dutch and Eastern Ijo, but is nonetheless quite different from both.

Although this language is not spoken anymore, it lives in recordings, video, and publications. Its special combination of elements from three

different source languages continues to be of interest to linguists who study language contact: it teaches us about the human capacity for resourcefulness, where people had to communicate across language barriers under very challenging circumstances.

People have an uncanny ability to treat their language and cultural heritage as a commodity, to be discarded when it seems to be of little use to them or their children only to regret the loss later in

life. About 6,000 different languages are spoken around the world. But the Foundation for Endangered Languages estimates that between 500 and 1,000 of those are spoken by only a handful of people. And every year the world loses around 25 mother tongues.

That equates to losing 250 languages over a decade – a sad reality. Therefore, it is our responsibility to record these languages before they are gone without a trace. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Simply the Truth

Honouring Guyanese: Wordsworth McAndrew

Wailing Jeremiads …from the rejects There’ve been calls for responsible responses from the Opposition on the Budget. Fat chance!

With people like Lalloo “Suspenders” Ram lurking in the shadows for an opportunity to get some attention, not going to happen. The need for constant attention is right up there (down there?) with dominant urges and is just as strong. It’s a psychological as well as a physiological compulsion.

The Stabber News had cast Lalloo aside for Ralph Ramkarran, who’s singing like a kiskadee about his life and times in the PPP/C. As usual, the Muckraker grabbed up their reject. So each of the rags have their native informants from the PPP/C’s “constituency” – who’re just happy to spill their guts.

Both these fellas have so much bitterness towards the PPP/C in general and former President Bharrat Jagdeo in particular, that their lamentations just pour forth like the Kaieteur Falls during the rainy season. And lemme tell you, that puts the Old Testament prophet dubbed the “Weeping Jeremiah”, to shame.

Sadly, it’s all to do with their wounded ambitions – Ramkarran fulminated, jumped up and down and insisted he ought to be President. And Lalloo Ram, just so much craved to be Finance Minister, he’s waging a one-man war against the incumbent, whom he’d praised most fulsomely before.

As the old people said, “they hang they hat too high fuh they hand”: their reach exceeded their grasp. Ramkarran insists that Jagdeo controls the PPP/C rather than President Donald Ramotar. So what does this make the new General Secretary Clement Rohee? Chopped liver? And if Jagdeo was able to do all the dastardly things Ramkarran accuses him of doing, what’s stopping President Ramotar?

Lalloo Ram, seeing as how time is running out for him because the law degree he acquired in his dotage hasn’t earned him the recognition he craves, has become even more strident against the Finance Minister. This time he’s flatly accused the fella of “cooking the books” on the inflation rate announced in the Budget. And the reason? The IMF, a few months ago, suggested a higher number.

So suddenly, the institution that only last year admitted it “lowered its standards” for Greece by setting overly optimistic expectations for the country’s economy and underestimating the effects of the austerity measures it imposed, is the Oracle of Delphi?

Oh…what a web a pair of wankers can weave. …from the WPA The WPA’s mighty peeved they weren’t asked by the Government to help draft the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Rodney CoI. Now, as we’ve taken the time to point out, the WPA’s down to four old men: Eusi Kwayana, Clive Thomas, Rupert Roopnaraine and Desmond Trotman. Until recently, it used to be five, but David Hinds has excused himself to team up with some other oldsters – including some fellas thrown out of the PNC – to form some group Cuffy 250.

Roopnaraine had huffed and puffed as to how the party would absolutely not take part, but after Kwayana, their Guyanese version of the Weeping Jeremiah, allowed as to how he’s going to participate, the remainder fell into line. Threesomes are never as much fun as foursomes. So the WPA made an announcement that their members could participate if they want. But wouldn’t it have been better (and faster) to call up the four members rather than issuing a press release?

Truth is, the WPA blew their chances when they could’ve totally controlled the ToRs of the CoI – back in 2005. But they were more interested in protecting the PNC – and teed off Rodney’s widow?

Poetic justice? …and surrender The unwisely named Sharma Solomon, after a string of Jeremiads against the Government and its broadcast authority, has meekly accepted that he would now submit an application for the broadcast licence. Wisdom at last?

T

here was an interesting thought from a columnist blaming the PPP/C for not honouring Guyanese. I avoid the blame game like a plague, but I do know that the accomplishments and contributions of too many Guyanese have gone unheralded.

Wordsworth McAndrew was mentioned as an example of one who has contributed, but whose contributions have been all but forgotten. He mentioned McAndrew’s “Ol Higue”, a dramatic (not a narrative) poem. It is a good poem.

I saw Mac dramatise that a few times. I do not know if that poem is being studied in schools in Guyana today. If it isn’t, then it is unfortunate.

I knew Mac well. We met through Professor John Rickford who inspired his class at UG (when UG deserved the title university) to organise an event called “A Festival of Guyanese Words.” With Rickford and Mac, we organised an event attended by more than one thousand Guyanese.

I do not know of any such event since then (1974). One single class, under one single lecturer, from what was University of Guyana.

Out of it came the most important publication on Guyanese language and culture to date: A Festival of Guyanese Words (1974).

McAndrew had an article in the book. The first edition was done quickly. We typed the whole massive thing on stencils (anyone remembers those? I still see some UG “exams” photocopied from stencil run-offs. Old, bad, but still being used by some UG lecturers to “educate” tuition-paying students).

I had to hold up stencils to the light to make sure that there were no mistakes. A single mistake meant having to re-type the whole thing! Mac, Rickford, myself, and a few others worked day and night to

By Professor Daizal Samad

get it done. UG has produced nothing close to this kind of good work since then.

We rolled off 500 books and had them bound. I asked a young Alim Hussein to design the cover. The books were sold off in one day! Two years and much work later, there was a second edition, more sophisticated, hard cover, nice to look at, better to read. For this alone, McAndrew and Rickford should have been honoured.

McAndrew was second only to Louise Bennet of Jamaica as a West Indian folklorist. Mac and I worked for the University of Montana as research assistants on an ethno-anthropology project.

It was during that period that I taught him to play chess. Mac took hours to make the first move. He was also a popular radio announcer, doing a programme entirely in Creolese.

One day, Mac showed up on his shaky P-50 at Cummings Lodge Secondary where I was teaching. He came into the staff room like a storm. I was in a class, but heard his voice” “Where is Daaizzzaaaalll???” The teach-

ers were agog! Here was THE McAndrew in the flesh! I rushed out of my class. Mac wanted to know the name of the only place where they ended sentences with the Creole marker “bin”.

He gave the example I have used ever since: “Abee binna guh, but abee nah worry guh bin!” I told him it was Albion. Mac said: “Dazzizzzaaalll! Rickford seh yuh brilliant! I seh yuh brilliant! But yuh wraaang! Is some bush, man!”

Thrown off, I started guessing: Black Bush? Bush Lot? Doctor Bush? Guava Bush? “Yes!!!! Dats it! Guava Bush!” I told him that Guava Bush was in Albion. He was already back on his P-50, pleased as punch. And off he went, his danshiki fluttering in the wind.

February of 1981 was the last time I met with Mac. It was in New Brunswick in Northeast Canada. The big annual event was Caribbean Night, attended by hundreds of people. I insisted that McAndrew be flown in from New York as Guest Speaker. I managed to get the student union to spring for the airfare and hotel.

Mac had left Guyana a celebrity and ended up in NY pushing boxes.

He later got a job as an editor for a magazine. That night, I gathered together a select group of people.

We talked and ate and drank. We talked of Guyana. My every intention was to return home after my doctorate. Mac warned me against it.

There was a blizzard that night.

We ran out of ice. Mac – unaccustomed to that kind of waist-high snow – insisted that he would go out with a big bowl and get snow for our drinks. Six feet from the door, Mac got lost. We found him.

If we do not honour men such as these, we as a nation will be more lost than we are. And we shall never be found.

Ruminating

S

atiricus enjoyed the letter columns of the Guyanese newspapers. In fact it was his favourite section. He could find out how the average Joe in the street thought. So he was intrigued by one fella who thought that reporters shouldn’t be chewing gum at press conferences by the President. Satiricus was going to say, “Presidential press conferences”, but realised that when put that way, it meant that the press conference itself had to be conducted a certain way – “presidential”.

That is, all prim and stiff and “proper” with nary anyone daring to crack a grin. So the fella who was taken aback by the gum-chewing members of the fourth estate must’ve been thinking about “presidential press conferences”. But what about those Presidents who don’t think that’s the way to conduct themselves.

Easy going presidents like the late, lamented Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Lula of Brazil or our very own Pressie?

These fellas were all “sons of the soil”, who didn’t put on airs and

pretend they have a rod stuck up their behinds. They didn’t have to follow those Presidents from up North who, after throwing out their Kings, wanted to be “Royal”. “Hey!” Satiricus thought, “If you want royalty, then get a King! We didn’t have no kings in Guyana.”

Satiricus knew the Americans, for one, insisted on their Presidents acting like Kings. (No Queens there!!

Maybe Queen Hillary?) When you combined that hangup with their weakness for British accents – even Cockney ones – you know they just wished they never threw out old King George. Even though he was mad as a hatter.

“But we went another route, didn’t we?” muttered Satiricus to himself. Our founding fathers even threw away the suits and brought in shirt jacs. Nothing “presidential” – as in “stiff” – about the open-necked shirt jacs, was there? So the fella who complained about our chewing gum had to have one of those unreconstructed colonial minds,

Satiricus heard about. He obviously didn’t know our Pressie…and why we can get away with calling him “Pressie” and not “Mr President”.

The gum complainer probably wanted a President like those in North Korea…who’re always strutting around in a General’s uniform at mass games – with their portraits made from flash cards held by thousands, moving in unison. And are always addressed as “the Great Leader” or “wise”, unique”, “brilliant” Leader, “Guiding Sun Ray”, “Sun of the Communist Future”, and 98 other names. But anyone who had to force people to bow and scrape before him, thought Satiricus, didn’t earn his respect.

But maybe the stiff-necked, moralpolice complainer was wrong about the pressmen chewing gum? He’d confessed he hadn’t actually opened their mouths and checked their wad.

Maybe the journalists, being the contemplative fellas they were, had been merely “ruminating” over Pressie’s remarks?

36

fun time

week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Frog date

A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and his Personal Psychic Advisor tells him: "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you." The frog is thrilled, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party?" "No," says his Advisor, "in her biology class."

The story of evolution

A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"

The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so was all mankind made..."

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.. The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"

The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."

Fix it yourself

When a guy's printer type began to grow faint, he called a local repair shop where a friendly man informed him that the printer probably needed only to be cleaned.

Because the store charged $50 for such cleanings, he told him he might be better off reading the printer's manual and trying the job himself.

Pleasantly surprised by his candour, he asked, "Does your boss know that you discourage business?"

"Actually, it's my boss's idea," the employee replied sheepishly, "We usually make more money on repairs if we let people try to fix things themselves first."

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 46

Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company (responsible for the accident) to court.

In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. "Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine?" questioned the lawyer.

Farmer Joe responded, "Well I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favoUrite mule Bessie into the..."

"I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted, "just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, “’I'm fine!'"

Farmer Joe said, "Well I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road..."

The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud.

Please tell him to simply answer the question."

By this time the Judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favourite mule Bessie."

Joe thanked the Judge and proceeded, "Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favourite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want to move. However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans.

Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, "Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?"

fashion

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week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘F

irst Resort’, by designer Sonia Noel, is a chic collection of over 100 sophisticated and comfortable designs.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Noel stated that the collection “depicts the easy, carefree, uninhibited nature of Caribbean lifestyle presented in breathing, eco-friendly, caressing textiles, which captures the attitude of leisure - so compelling to the world”. She revealed that the collection keeps expanding, as more stylish pieces are added.

To create this irresistible collection,

Noel infused her signature latticing, kaftan silhouettes and versatile wraps.

‘First Resort’ is a representation of Noel’s creative, designing talents in transforming simple fabrics to celebrated pieces.

For this week’s photo shoot, the models were Umadevi Bux, Atulomah Valerie, Raquel Thomas and Steffi Bynoe. Makeup was done

by Margaret Ilesanmi Mogbonjubola.

This collection is presently available at Noel’s fashion studio located at 176 Barr Street, Kitty. Call 226-3099 for more information. (Photos by Shiv Dindyal)

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feature

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I

US-based Guyanese artists present US exhibition

n 1983, US-based Guyanese artists Victor L Davson and Carl E Hazlewood envisioned Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, as a place which would embody the essence of its etymological roots.

By selecting the name Aljira, the Australian Aboriginal word for

“dreamtime”, the founders defined the heart of Aljira’s mission, a mission that embraces the concepts of timelessness and open possibilities — ideas inherent in the creative process.

Aljira continues to be open to possibilities and plays an integral role in the professional life of

‘Dub Factor’ by Davson

many artists.

Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, in conjunction with The New Jersey State Museum, is pleased to present ‘Aljira at 30, Dream and Reality’, a major survey exhibition celebrating the exhibition centre’s 30th anniversary. The exhibi-

tion will be on view from 29 March through 28 September 2014.

Both Davson and Hazlewood, among other US-based Guyanese and US artists, are showcasing their art at the exhibition.

“Aljira is honoured and grateful to the New Jersey State Museum for this unprecedented opportunity to showcase the creativity of our diverse community of cultural workers,” Aljira CoFounder and Executive Director, Davson said.

A lively, historical overview, the exhibit contains many archival images showing Aljira's journey: from the early days when a group of artists answered an ad for studio space in the Roseville section of Newark to its current home at 591 Broad Street, New Jersey, US. The exhibition includes work by a representative selection of artists from the hundreds who have touched down and passed through and made Aljira the vital, far-reaching enterprise that it has become.

Other highlights of the exhibition include

Co-founder of Aljira, US-based Guyanese artist Victor Davson

an ephemera and reading room featuring videos, books, catalogues and Aljira’s photographic history from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

“Like a living organism Aljira’s lifecycle, beginning with the birth of an idea among a small circle of artists inspired by the community in which they lived and worked, has flourished and matured through several decades.

Our idea was Aljira – a word borrowed from the Australian aborigines meaning ‘dreamtime’ of the timelessness and open possibilities,” ex-

US-based Guyanese artist Carl E Hazlewood

pressed Davson. He added, “This founding impulse and the day-to-day decisions that followed over the past 30 years determined how Aljira would evolve as an innovative and nurturing center for creativity.”

Chief curator for the exhibition is Margaret M O'Reilly, Curator of Fine Art, New Jersey State Museum, joined by cocurators Hazlewood, artist, writer, independent curator and co-founder of Aljira; Jaret Vadera, artist, cultural producer; and Cicely Cottingham, artist and co-founder, Aljira Design. continued on page 40

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A

s the island continues to carve out a niche in culinary tourism, a school is needed to ensure that local chefs and bartenders could continue to advance their skills.

Assistant Executive Vice-President Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Michelle Smith, made the observation while speaking to journalists recently at the Dining Club during the first training lunch for the new Barbados Culinary Team.

Noting that some 16 persons initially would be training, she said that such grounds proved instrumental for these individuals to hone their skills and to become better refined at what they do since there was a lack of a culinary school to do

Mixologist Rohan Hackshaw prepares one of his rum-based drinks, while fellow Bartender Philip ‘Casanova’ Antoine and Trainer Jamaal Bowen share a word during the proceedings

so.

“We have a culinary school here, but that would be at basic level and we still want a place where culinary people – chefs, bartenders or whoever – can go and get a higher level of training without having to

go overseas to Johnson and Wales and other culinary schools. In places like Jamaica and the Bahamas they have the facilities where Johnson and Wales and Cordon Bleu can come in and do training on the ground, because culinary cours-

es are very expensive and they cannot afford to leave to go overseas to do it, and some of them have commitments on the ground too.

“If we can get facilities where they can come in and actually train here in Barbados that would be great. But in the absence of that, we find that the process of competition and then training with the Barbados culinary team helps them to grow as a professional and personally too,” she stated.

Over the next few weeks, the team will be whittled down to two senior chefs, a junior chef, pastry chef and a bartender for the ‘Taste of the Caribbean 2014’ competition scheduled for June in Miami.

(Barbados Advocate)

It gotta lotta NGFs in the House

I

t got people in this Guyana who badly wanna be like other people, but no matter whah dem do, or how hard dem try, dem can’t be like de people dem really wanna be like. Dem same people does get friken bad if de people who dem wanna be like do de same ting whah dem friken.

Dem is de kinda people who does end up being wannabes fuh dem whole life. Dem always wannabe this and dem always wannabe that. De problem is that dem always wannabe some body who dem gon never be so bad that dem does fuhget to be who dem really is.

Is some ting like how de whole opposition does wannabe de guvament and dem fuhget is who really win de elections. Green Bridge does wannabe de Finance Minister. Green Jah and Rum Jhaat does wannabe de Prezzi.

Even Lalloo does wannabe expert in every ting. And de fact that de Nagga Man also wannabe Prezzi from since long time is de same like sayin if s*it had wings it woulda fly from de Prezzi behind to de Nagga Man mouth.

A certain former Prezzi done tell de whole world that he ain’t interested in being Prezzi again. But a setta people who friken that de former Prezzi gon be Prezzi again can’t get de ting outta dem mind. That is because dem wannabe like that Prezzi. In fact, dem wannabe Prezzi, period!

That former Prezzi so busy doing tings on de global stage that he ain’t even got de time to answer dem.

But that is exactly whah does bun dem inside out. Old people seh talk is cheap, but dem talk cheaper than cheap. And any ting or any body whah so cheap is a NFG. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! N fuh No, G fuh good, and F is fuh all de wannabes to guess. Eventually, de wannabes does end up bein NFGs, and de Mayor-fuh-life is a big NFG. But it also gotta lotta NFGs in de House and Green Bridge done start de ball rollin!

‘Aljira at 30, Dream...

from page 39

'Little Red Devil-07' by Hazlewood

“Aljira has been agile in their response to changing cultural and societal issues, all the while maintaining a humanist ethos. Through its commitment to bridging racial, cultural and ethnic barriers, the Center enlightens not just the art community, but the local region it serves. Through exhibitions, programs, workshops and outreach, Aljira provides cultural services to the underserved and allows these

communities to understand that the arts are not elitist, but a natural form of expression for all people. It offers art as something more than simply an aesthetic experience, but a vital component in individual and community life,” O’Reilly explained.

For more information visit www.statemuseum. nj.gov or contact Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Travel & Tourism

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he journey starts with a short boat ride from Rewa River, Rupununi, to a landing where an easy 15-minute hike leads to the spectacular Grass Pond.

Notably, there is a stunning setting of Victoria Amazonica adorning the pond. Also, it abounds with a good population of Arapaima (reportedly the highest density in Guyana).

During a late afternoon visit at the pond, Brown Capuchin monkey or Capybara can be seen. Birds likely to be seen include Limpkin, Wattled Jacana, Black-collared Hawk, Green Kingfisher and Guianan Puffbird. As dusk approaches, the flowers of the Victoria Amazonica bloom in all their glory.

Another ideal location close to Grass Pond is the Awarmie Mountain. The mountain is a 40-minute boat ride from the Rewa Eco-lodge.

Speaking about the mountain in his book ‘Guyana: The Bradt Travel Guide’, Kirk Smock stated, “There is a good path cut up to the top of the mountain but the climb can be steep in places and should be done by those confident with their level of fitness. The hike, depending on your level of fitness, will take around two hours.”

On the top of the mountain there are expansive views of the surrounding forests and winding rivers. It is one of the best jungle vistas in Guyana. The village of Rewa has built a benab on the top, which can be used for overnight camping with hammocks. (Photos by David Johnstone)

Sunset at the pond

View from Arwamie mountain

Camping on the beach

Festooned with the world's largest lily, Victoria Amazonica, the pond also contained the largest freshwater fish in the world, the Arapiama

42

Feature

week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

iffany Megnath was born in the United States of America to Guyanese parents.

Her mother is from Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, who migrated to the United States many years ago.

Tiffany is proud of her Guyanese heritage, and has been immersed in Guyanese culture in the community where she grew up, and still lives – Queens, ‘Little Guyana’.

Tiffany will be graduating with honors on May 17th, 2014 with a double major in Economics and Communications and Media Studies from Fordham University in New York. She plans to pursue a career in Law. On March 12, 2014, she was distinctively honoured by the Omicron Delta Epsilon Society at Fordham University.

Omicron Delta Epsilon is an International Honor Society in Economics.

It is one of the world's largest academic honour societies and has more than 672 chapters located worldwide.

Tiffany is proud of her academic achievements. She is consistently on the Dean's

Honours List at the University. She credits most of her success to a solid Guyanese upbringing and foundation.

Tiffany Megnath is a delegate for the Miss Guyana World Competition, which will take place in Guyana on May 26th, 2014 and will be representing Region 9 Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo. This particular region is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in Guyana. This is the hinterland, or the interior of the country, where the savannah meets the rainforest. It is home to Guyana’s indigenous tribes (notably the Makushi and Wapishana), and also the vaqueros (cowboys) of the various ranches in the Rupununi. This region is also home to the Dadanawa Ranch. The natural beauty of Region 9 just takes your breath away.

The Miss Guyana World competition will take place on the day of the Anniversary of Guyana's 48th Independence Celebrations.

Tiffany has attended and participated in many of the Guyana’s Independence Day celebrations in New

- U.S.-based Guyanese among those vying for Miss Guyana-World title

Tiffany Megnath

York, and was invited last year by The Guyana Tri-State Alliance to model and walk the runway in the showcasing and celebrating of several of Guyanese top designers - Michelle Cole, Roger Gary and Sonia Noel.

She is particularly excited about this new venture, and feels blessed to be selected as a delegate in the Miss

Guyana World competition. Tiffany has the full support of her team, including her mother, grandfather and grandmother.

Super storm Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive Hurricane to hit New York City on October 29, 2012. Many lost their lives, homes, or were left without electricity, water, gas, food,

or means of transportation for days. To witness the aftermath, desperation and the horror and hopelessness in the eyes of those who were homeless was heart-wrenching. Tiffany and her family joined the Guyana Tri-State Alliance, and many other organisations, temples, mosques, and churches that responded to help and distribute hot food, warm clothing, toys, and bags of staples on a continuous basis, and visited homes looking for the aged who were "shut in".

This event stirred a determination in her to make it her mission to do whatever possible to assist those affected.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 2012, Tiffany and her family gave up their Thanksgiving family day and joined the Guyana Tri-State Alliance and a host of organisations to prepare baked turkeys etc to make sure that the Sandy victims had a Thanksgiving meal in a safe and dry setting, and gave thanks to God for sparing their lives. Food, necessities and bags of clothing were also distributed to lighten their burden of despair.

While Tiffany was

touring the breezy point Rockaway area, it was amazing for her to view the devastation, the power of the hurricane that ripped up iron bridges, and turned huge areas into rubble. Tiffany asked herself, "Am I My Brother's Keeper" and answered "Yes! I am". This experience galvanised her to volunteer with The New York Immigrant and Refugees Outreach Center taking care of the displaced and the underprivileged.

Tiffany currently volunteers at the Calvary’s Mission Food Pantry every Saturday.

It is an International Christian Hunger and Humanitarian Development Relief organization located in Richmond Hill, Queens.

After graduation, Tiffany hopes to pursue a career in law.

Please visit and "Like" on her page "Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo" on Facebook!

It is extremely important that you "Like" this page. You can also visit http://383887.tbits.me/ and at the bottom of the page, click of VOTE to assist her in gaining the top spot. You can vote up to five times a day!

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erected by many committees but to no avail.

The Tacarigua Division Commissioners together with Tacarigua Division Local Association are currently attempting to get a campsite for the girls to utilise until a building can be erected.

Minister Stacy Roopnarine has her blood pressure tested at a health clinic which she hosted for her constituents at the Hermitage Community Centre, Hermitage.

I

n commemoration of 100 years of guiding in Trinidad and Tobago and to sensitise the community of Tunapuna about ‘Girl Guides’ and the work they do, the Tacarigua Division of the Association hosted a Walk-a-Thon and Campfire Sunday at the compound of the old St Joseph Police Station, Eastern Main Road, St Joseph.

Girls attending the event had posters, banners and placards that expressed their experiences in Girl Guides and the various Millennium Development Goals.

This event was just one of a series of activities for the year to celebrate the association’s 100th Anniversary and to publicise the significance of guiding in Trinidad and Tobago.

The event also

Green Jah don’t trust Rum Jhaat scissors

O

ld people seh de more tings change, de more dem does stay de same. But on de other hand, some tings and some people does stay de same, yet dem does get wuss. De budget debate gon start today and it gon be de same setta people like last year. But in many ways it gon be wuss than last year.

De High Court done seh that no body can’t cut de budget, but Rum Jhaat run out de other day to buy another scissors to cut de budget. De A-Gee done tek away de one whah he had last year. But Rum Jhaat musbe tink is paper or cloth he goin to cut.

Green Jah lil more smart. He seh he wanna see changes in de budget. So Rum Jhaat musbe hopin that Green Jah gon borrow he scissors. But Rum Jhaat ain’t know that Green Jah know that he Rum Jhaat is a cutthroat. So Green Jah gon never trust Rum Jhaat scissors.

De House gon miss Ms Backer. De Bell Crier know she restin in peace, although Green Jah de old soldier treat she like de enemy in a war. That was a lady who stand up fuh Green Jah. But Green Jah didn’t stand up back fuh she.

Is Green Bridge who run he mouth and tell people that Green Jah don’t stand up fuh no body nowadays.

Green Bridge self seh that Green Jah don’t stand up fuh none a dem big guns in de FLAPNU no more.

Accordin to Green Bridge, Green Jah own gun ain’t wukkin good.

But dem Green Jah supporters seh that Green Bridge only think he is a big gun, he still can’t shoot good like Green Jah. But whah dem supporters don’t know is that de old soldier does turn back, shoot people in dem foot when he don’t want dem behind he. Just ask Core Bin. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De House gon miss de Ganda Man too.

While one MP restin in peace, he musbe gone to get another piece!

served as the official launch of the revitalisation effort of the Tunapuna Guide Hut and campsite that was demolished in 2000.

From the old St Joseph Police Station compound the march proceeded along the Eastern Main Road, and then turned left onto Auzonville Road then right onto Eastman Street (the last street on the right) and left onto Toussaint Lane #2. There was a Poui tree planting exercise, followed by a campfire which also featured performances by girls of various units of Tacarigua Division and other attending divisions.

The original guide hut was demolished in 2000 as it was considered unsafe for use by the health authorities.

Since then there have been several attempts to get a new building

The land was recently cleared of debris and overgrown bush, with the assistance of the office of the Member of Parliament for Tunapuna, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran.

An application for self-help has been for-

warded to the relevant ministry so that the land can be developed into a campsite for the girls to use while funding is being sought for the Guide Hut. The Division is currently awaiting approval of this application.

(TT Newsday)

44 health feature Moderate vs. Excessive alcohol consumption week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Tisha Boston

I

n chemistry, alcohol is an organic compound in which a hydroxyl is bound to a carbon atom with a saturated center. The alcohol humans generally consume from beer, wine, and liquor is called ethyl alcohol or etha-

nol. It is a natural product that is created when grains, fruits, and vegetables are fermented.

Fermentation refers to the process of converting sugars in food into alcohol using yeast or bacteria. Although alcohol is a natural product, it can be very harmful to the body if consumed ex-

cessively; however, how does one determine moderate drinking verses excess drinking?

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)

A standard drink in the United States contains 14.0 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This means that 12 ounces of beer contains 5% pure alcohol,

8 ounces of malt liquor contains 7% pure alcohol, and 5 ounces of wine contains 12% pure alcohol. Now according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate alcohol intake means women having up to one drink per day and men having up to two drinks per day, on any single day. However, people who should not drink at all are children and adolescents, pregnant women or those who are trying to become pregnant, alcoholics or those recovering from alcoholism, people who are on medication or those that have a certain type of medical condition, and people who plan to engage in activities that require attention, skill or coordination e.g. driving. Please note that in all of the United States, 0.08% alcohol is the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle for drivers 21 years and older.

Excessive drinking refers to heavy drinking, binge drinking, or drinking while pregnant or under age 21. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol consumption accounts for approximately 88,000 deaths each year in the

United States, making it the third leading lifestyle-related cause of the death. Most of the time, excess alcohol intake is due to binge drinking.

One does not need to be an alcoholic to engage in binge drinking; the term is actually gender specific. For women, having 4 or more drinks on a single occasion is considered binge drinking while for men, having 5 or more drinks on a single occasion is considered binge drinking. In addition, heavy drinking is also gender specific.

For women, having 8 or more drinks per week is considered heavy drinking while for men, having 15 or more drinks per week is considered heavy drinking.

The immediate effects of excessive alcohol intake include: injuries from falling and motor vehicle crashes, violence, risky sexual behaviors,

miscarriage or stillbirth, and alcohol poisoning.

Also, overtime, the excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to neurological problems like dementia, cardiovascular problems like hypertension, psychiatric problems like depression, liver diseases like cirrhosis, and cancers such as those in the liver, colon, and breast.

The potential health risks caused by alcohol consumption are due to the fact that alcohol is a depressant. It slows the function of the central nervous system by blocking messages to the brain.

As a result, one’s entire body is affected; a person’s perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing are altered.

Overall, if one chooses to consume alcohol, it is recommended that you do so wisely and moderately.

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legal corner

S

atiricus knew that Guyanese could be soooo insensitive.

Sometimes it could amount to cruelty. Take the case of Rum Jhaat and his band of merry men and women from the KFC sneaking out from Parliament during the Budget speech.

There was no need to get on their case the way some in the media did – that they were showing disrespect and all of that. “Truth is,” Satiricus fumed, “the Jhaat always suffered from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – and it’s clear that he’s infected his Parliamentary Posse.”

But Satiricus knew the two fellas from the village of Whim – the Naga Man and the Bush Doctor from Berbice – didn’t need much “infection”.

Along with Rum Jhaat, they’d suffered from the problem ever since they were boys catching crabs in the Courida Bushes behind Whim.

When covering the last elections in Berbice, Satiricus had been regaled by the story of how the three of them

ADHD used to be pushing their hands into the crab holes, forget what they were doing, and end up screaming to high heavens as the crabs feasted on their fingers.

“So how you’d expect these fellas to sit for hours and listen to a speech.” Especially one that mentioned numbers every other sentence. The Jhaat had a particularly severe case of ADHD. Whenever he was in company, people found it quite disconcerting for his eyes to be darting all over the place. “Well, that’s what folks with ADHD do!!!”

Exclaimed Satiricus to himself, “They can’t focus.”

As a lawyer, this problem had caused the Jhaat a number of embarrassing situations.

There was that time when Satiricus had been assigned to cover the courts as a punishment by his editor. One of the most senior female judges had cause to order that Rum Jhaat zip up his fly. Obviously, he’d lost attention after pulling his pants on. Trouble was he’d also forgot to put on

his briefs. “And,” Satiricus remembered, “what is a lawyer without his briefs? It wasn’t a pretty sight. Gruesome if the truth be told.”

But Satiricus knew that these ADHD people didn’t just lose attention very quickly – they were also hyperactive. And with the Jhaat and the Naga Man, Satiricus remembered as to what form that activity took, he got cold sweat. How could he forget the riling up of the folks at Linden by the two of them to burn down the town?

Then the Jhaat couldn’t sit still to attend the President’s tripartite talks.

So Satiricus wasn’t surprised when the Essequibo organiser of the KFC – playing the role of a disgruntled rice farmer – was waiting for the ADHD posse when they sidled out of Parliament.

Satiricus breathed a sigh of relief when the Jhaat didn’t push them to burn anything down.

People should thank them for holding back… which wasn’t easy for ADHD people.

The danger of a buy-out by a Landlord

By Richard Kistnen, Esq.

I

have noticed, in recent weeks, an increase in the number of persons contacting me about removing a tenant from an apartment.

The lines of questioning are usually pretty standard – how long does it take; how much does it cost; and whether I (the Landlord) has to appear in court. One question, however, that I am encountering, to my surprise, more frequently is whether the landlord should first try to buyout the tenant. I answer this question with a resounding ‘no.’

When I am contacted by potential clients about any kind of litigation – landlord-tenant or otherwise – I always advise them that they know their adversary better than I do, so the potential client has significant input into creating a legal strategy. Is the adversary risk-averse? Is the adversary nettlesome? Is the adversary ‘street-wise?’ Answers to these questions contribute to how a client and I create a legal strategy.

In the context of nonregulated landlord-tenant cases, by the time

a landlord is requesting that a tenant move, the relationship has already deteriorated. The tenant may be behind in rent, causing disturbances, excess people with keys and access, etc. Due to the fear of out of control legal costs and time spent in court, some landlords will first attempt a buy-out. That is, offer to the tenant, in writing or otherwise, that if they vacate by a date certain, the landlord will pay them a sum certain. Unless you know for sure that the tenant will vacate without issue and in a very brief period (two weeks), then a buy-out makes little sense. First, some of the more ‘street-wise’ tenants, sensing your desire for them to leave, will demand that you pay them more, give them more time, help pay for moving costs and so on. Landlords in the non-regulated apartment context must understand that they owe nothing to a tenant, other than what is spelled out in a lease. A tenant who makes extra demands on a landlord asking them to move out is simply seizing on an opportunity created by

the landlord.

Second, what if they fail to vacate the premises after the agreed-upon time?

You, as a landlord, just cost yourself that time, which may be a month, two months or more. If they fail to vacate pursuant to some buy-out agreement, guess what your next move is?

Landlord-tenant court – the step you should have taken from the beginning. Finally, the money you spend on a buyout is maybe the same amount you would spend on legal fees and costs.

In the landlord-tenant context, landlords can only do themselves harm by engaging in extraneous behaviour.

Back and forth emails, text messages and so on accomplish nothing, but can be used against a landlord to create an inference of reasonable reliance. So, if you find yourself in a predicament with a tenant, seek your remedy in the courts immediately. Most other courses of action often cost you more in the end. If you would like to speak to an attorney, contact the Law Office of Richard Kistnen, (718) 738-2324, www.kistnenlaw.com.

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- Celebrating 143 years of existence

T

he Catholic Church in British Guiana owes its existence, expansion and growth to the Portuguese, who first came here in 1835 as indentured emigrants to satisfy the labour hunger of the planters.

Although, previously, there had been intermittent visits of Catholic priests to the colony, it was not until 9 December 1825 the construction of the building of the first Roman Catholic Church began and was later opened

by Revd J Hayes, OP, in 1827. From Madeira, the

Portuguese had brought not only their agricultural and commercial skills, but their devotion to their religion – the Catholic faith. The roots of their faith went deep, their devotion was marked by the simplicity and exuberance of a “folk religion”, which sometimes was misunderstood, and their faith was branded by some as a “Madeiran type of Catholicism”.

March 1857 marked the beginning of an organised mission by The Society of Jesus in British Guiana with the arrival of James Etheridge, SJ,

Aloysius Emiliani and Fr Clemant Negri from Naples.

With the increase in Catholics, in particular the Portuguese community in this area, there was need for a “proper” church. St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church was opened on the 19 November 1871 and was blessed by Bishop James Etheridge and dedicated to St Anthony. It is located in the twin villages of Buxton/Friendship.

There was a Mass Station in this area as far back as 1862. St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic

This altar in the church was made in 1905

Wharf in Georgetown (n.d.)

St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church

Church is one of the larger Catholic churches on the East Coast and still retains most of its

internal architectural designs, even though its tower was taken down in 1984.

Another altar in the church

Like other East Coast Catholic churches, it was located near the railway.

The St Anthony church is physically located on Friendship Middle Walk in Friendship Village.

The Catholic custom refers to it as Buxton Church. The high altar was made in 1905 and houses a shrine of St Anthony at the top with three small arches containing angels on either side of the tabernacle. Two side altars, made of nicely designed wood, are dedicated to the Sacred Heart and Our Lady.

It is recorded that this parish community,

Friendship Village, celebrated the golden jubilee of Pope Leo XIII in 1893 with lavish events, processions of its various guilds and societies, ending in the evening with illuminations, fireworks and other decorations.

In addition, the celebrations for the Feast of St Anthony were of a grand scale, including the blessing and distribution of St Anthony’s Bread.

The first resident priest at St Anthony was Fr John Purcell in 1892. Purcell, a diocesan Priest, was a Jamaican who offered to work in British Guiana in the time of Bishop Anthony Butler. Purcell also had the difficult task of travelling to Bartica once a month to minister to the needs of Catholics there. It was he who was responsible for building the small concrete church at Mahaicony.

The longest serving priest at St. Anthony, from 1936 to mid 1970s, was Fr Emmanuel da Silva. He was the second Guyanese and third Diocesan priest.

This church still carries on the tradition of devotions to St Anthony.

Its feast day is celebrated annual on 13 June. (Text

by Vanessa Phillips and Francis Canzius. Photos

by Amanda Richards)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

The Essequibo extension railway (n.d.)

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week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A cup of coffee

…11-year-old wants to be Jamaica’s next female PM

T

By Anu Dev

hose of you who love coffee can appreciate the simple pleasure of waking up to a nice, freshlybrewed cup of coffee in the morning. I guess those of you who like tea probably get some sort of satisfaction from tea, but “objectively” speaking, tea really doesn’t have anything on a nice cup of coffee.

I know there are loads of tea drinkers, who have this air of self-righteous as they look down on us for enjoying our caffeine-laden drinks, but the thing is, I don’t think they quite realise that tea has caffeine as well.

The smell of coffee is just so warm and welcoming.

For me it reminds me of home. In the morning and in the evenings it’s a familiar ritual to see my mom putting some coffee to brew and soon after the smell of coffee wafts through the house.

And there are so many options with coffee.

You could have regular coffee or you could have an espresso or a cappuccino if you prefer. And why not have a slice of cheesecake along with your coffee?

So much can be done over a cup of coffee. You could make business plans while meeting investors over a cup of coffee. You could meet up with a friend you haven’t met in a while and chat over a cup of coffee. You could curl up in bed with a book and a hot cup of coffee to stay warm and cozy. So many memories can be made over a cup of coffee – laughing over something with your family, or even the not-so-pleasant memories of having to charge up on coffee to stay awake studying.

And since exams are right around the corner I’m guessing that coffeemakers all round will be getting more use than they’ve ever gotten before as students try to pull all-nighters to try to absorb last minute information for their Spanish orals or try to cram the names of all of the arteries supplying the heart.

But I don’t really support the whole idea of pulling all-nighters – your brain needs some downtime to process and file away all of the things you’ve learnt and it’s designed to do that while we’re asleep. It’s probably better to have half of the knowledge with a clear mind rather than having all of the knowledge while your brain is all foggy. Because in exams, you have to be able to analyse the question, retrieve information quickly and apply that information to the question.

It’s important to try to keep calm in the days leading up to your exam. It’s very easy to become panicked and stressed out if you’ve left everything to the end. Or even if you’re well-prepared, sometimes nerves can cause you to become panicked. It’s always helpful to take a deep breath, go for a walk or find some other way to let off some steam. So take a break every now and again, work some past papers, take a deep breath and you’ll all be fine.

And for parents of the students taking exams – you’re as involved in the whole exam-taking process as your kid! So keep them well-fed, make sure they’re not pushing themselves too hard – we don’t want them to burn themselves out – and just be there to lend them a helping, supportive hand.

Your kids probably won’t be the easiest to deal with around this time – they’ll be tense and snappish and sometimes they’ll probably be rude. But it’s because of the enormous amount of pressure they’re under. CSEC and CAPE are really important exams, they help to determine what colleges we can go to, what type of jobs we might end up having someday.

And trust me; all of these thoughts are currently weighing down your child. But they’ll be back to being your lovable darlings when their exams are all over.

So good luck to all of the students who are quickly hurtling towards their first exams, whether it’s CSEC, CAPE, or end-of-semester exams!

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller accepts a gift from Sherika Mundell, a student of Greenwich Town Primary school, Kingston last Wednesday.

E

leven-year-old Sherika Mundell was always an ambitious child who wasn't sure of a career path. Now, the student of Greenwich Town Primary is certain of what she wants to become: Jamaica's next female prime minister.

The grade 5 student came to the decision on Wednesday after meeting Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Majesty Gardens Housing Development in Kingston.

Sherika was asked to represent her school and present a token to Simpson Miller.

During her presentation, the prime minister took time out to encourage Sherika, a resident of Caribbean Palm Estate, to work hard at achieving her dreams.

"I want to encourage you to stay focussed, and who knows, if you work hard you could become the country's next female prime minister," said Simpson Miller.

Sherika is now driven.

"I was very inspired by what the prime minister said to me and as a result I will continue to work hard in school," said Sherika, who is the youngest of five children for her parents.

Representatives from Greenwich Town Primary have since reported that Sherika has been working harder in class and has been a role model to her classmates.

The Majesty Gardens Housing Development will provide jobs for persons living in and

around Majesty Gardens and those trained under YUTE Build, a construction-training programme, the prime minister said.

YUTE Build is administered by YUTE Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) and

HEART Trust/NTA and will see approximately J$11 million being spent in labour cost to construct the 32 units for community residents.

On Wednesday, National Housing Trust Acting Managing Director Martin Miller said Majesty Gardens

would be a pilot development for new housing model developed by the Urban Development Corporation.

The event was to mark the ground breaking ceremony of phase 1A of the Majesty Gardens Housing Development.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Bollywood

week ending April 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

'Bombay To Goa' re-release Moon Moon Sen: From as tribute to Mehmood actress to politician

B

ollywood's legendary comedian Mehmood's ‘Bombay to Goa’ is set to re-release on his 10th death anniversary as a tribute to him. However, the release date is yet to be decided, his brother Anwar Ali said, according to IANS. Mehmood died in 2004.

"It's a tribute to Mehmood bhai on his 10th death anniversary.

'Bombay To Goa' is an evergreen comedy and everyone can relate to the film so, we thought we must re-release it," Anwar told IANS. Released in 1972, S. Ramanathan-directed ‘Bombay to Goa’ was an adventure-comedy, which saw Mehmood teaming up with Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Aruna Irani in the cast.

"As far as the re-release date is concerned, we are still figuring that out. We will either release it before the IPL (Indian Premier League,

F

which starts April 16) or after the IPL as we want to do complete justice to the film."

One of the star comedians of the late 1960s and 1970s, Mehmood is known for his ribtickling performances in ‘Padosan’, ‘Love in Tokyo’, ‘Aankhen’, and

S

aidah Jules recently visited the Golden Temple and was really happy, reports TNN. She felt as if she was close to attaining mental peace. Being accompanied by her 'JAL' colleagues, Purab Kohli, Yashpal Sharma and producer Puneet Singh she had an experience to remember. According to the sources, this was Saidah's first visit and she seemed very chirpy throughout. Very few know that the foreign origin actress is following Hinduism since her childhood. Indian Gods intrigue her and she currently is even reading a book on them.

She believes that it is a small thread of a rope that binds each and every human being with each other. She also loves to visit spiritual places of other religions and Golden Temple was a top priority for her.

‘Johar-Mehmood in Goa’.

He also directed films like ‘Kunwara Baap’.

Talking about his brother's work, Anwar said: "While comedy is being explored really well today, but during his time he alone explored comedy." (Times of India)

She was always fascinated by the Indian mythology and this was her golden opportunity.

So, 30th March was decided as the day of the visit.

Saidah says "It's really a very beautiful temple to visit".

While touring Punjab for ‘JAL’ promotions, she happened to be in Amritsar and she felt really great that the producer, Puneet Singh gave them the opportunity to visit the famous temple. Saidah has lot of Sikh friends and she knows what Golden Temple means to them.

Now, she can finally brag about it to them!

(Times of India)

Salman's re-trial fails to begin, case deferred to April 28

T

he re-trial in the hit-and-run case involving actor Salman Khan was on Tuesday deferred till April 28 by a sessions court as the prosecution sought time to produce witnesses in view of police deployment on election duty, reports PTI. Investigating Officer Rajendra Kane informed the court that police were deployed on election duty and hence they were not yet prepared to go ahead with the trial which was to commence on Tuesday.

Sessions Judge DW Deshpande asked the prosecution to produce on April 28, the first witness who was injured in the mishap in which the actor was involved, followed by eyewitnesses

in May. This is the second occasion when the fresh trial has not begun. On March 26, three witnesses failed to turn up as they were either not available or untraceable.

Salman's lawyer Srikant Shivade said the actor was ready to face the trial while prosecutor Jagannath Kenjalkar said they would produce witnesses from April 28.

Salman is facing the charge of running over his Toyota Land Cruiser on a group of persons sleeping on a footpath outside a bakery in suburban Bandra on September 28, 2002, killing one and injuring four others. (Hindustan Times)

ormer Bollywood actress Moon Moon Sen Tuesday launched her campaign as the Trinamool Congress candidate from the Bankura Lok Sabha constituency, reports IANS. The daughter of Bengali screen icon Suchitra Sen, who passed away early this year, the Oxford-educated Sen sought blessings at a mosque as well as a temple in Metia Narayanpur village in Bankura district.

Known as "Suchitra Sen er meye (Suchitra's daughter)" in the interiors, her calm demeanour was in sharp contrast to the aggressive body language of battle-hardened politicos as she interacted with residents in her constituency.

Sen made heads turn as she stepped out of the vehicle ferrying her and Trinamool workers.

"I will try (to) be closer to the people of my constituency," she said, attired in white and sporting glares.

The actress had earlier stated she was familiar with the area.

"Actually, I have done lot of films and jatras (folk theatres) in that part (Bankura) of the state. I have travelled a lot. I used to break into songs whenever I saw the red soil of the region," she said, reacting to her nomination earlier.

However, the actress recently courted criticism for her comments regarding campaign preparations in the summer.

"It's very difficult to look glamorous in summer but I'll see what I can do. There's no harm in that. I've done theatre and I know to combat heat. I've been to Bankura to shoot for films. I know people will accept me," she told a TV channel.

Once a sex-siren who mesmerised legions of male fans with her oomph and charisma, Sen will be fighting CPI-M heavyweight Basudeb Acharia in her constituency.

It remains to be seen whether her star-power can garner votes. (Times of India)

Bobby Deol loves playing cricket

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ctor Bobby Deol is a hardcore cricket fan. That's why when he's not shooting, he prefers playing cricket as the game gives him

energy besides keeping his mind balanced. The actor, who is busy doing movies these days, is looking to have a friendly game with his buddies.

According to the sources, Bobby hardly gets time to watch the matches live, but he takes update from his friends over phone.

"Chandigarh is where he feels at home. Lot of his friends stay here and whenever he visits the city, he never misses out on playing a match or two," a source said. When he is in Mumbai. he's active with cricket as he's a part of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) where he plays for Mumbai Heroes team.

"All his actor friends know him as passionate cricketer. He often plays a role of a strategy maker when he's playing a game," a source added. With some movies in the pipeline, Bobby feels life is busy. But all this has not stopped him from playing the game of cricket. (Times of India)

S

he speaks with an accent, but Evelyn Sharma’s half-Indian and half-German lineage has given her an edge in the Hindi film industry. She says being a foreigner in Bollywood has been a boon for her, according to IANS. Over the years, the globally popular Indian film industry has opened up to talented foreign beauties. Cases in point are Katrina Kaif (Britain), Jacqueline Fernandez (Sri Lanka), Nargis Fakhri (US), Elena Kazan (Russia-born German), Elli Avram (Sweden), Lauren Gottlieb (US), Hazel Keech (Britain) and Kristina Akheeva (Russia).

"It’s been a positive (to be a foreigner in Bollywood). It is up to the directors — if they dress me up in western, I can carry off the look well, and I can also carry the traditional look for an Indian character."

For Evelyn, who has mostly spent

her time watching English and German films back home, Hindi language has been a stumbling block. "I am brushing up my Hindi. I am doing two hours of training in Hindi every day," she says.

(Hindustan Times)

Hollywood

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'Fast and Furious 7' resumes shooting

…after Paul Walker's death

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I

n its 208th and final episode on Monday, the CBS TV comedy 'How I Met Your Mother' finally revealed the mystery contained in its title and then ended with a twist designed to reward longtime fans, according to reports by AP. Actor Josh Radnor's character Ted meets the mom, played by actress Cristin Milioti, on a rainy train platform after his friends Barney and Robin are married. But that marriage doesn't last, and neither does Ted's, because

Milioti's character Tracy dies after the couple has two children together.

And at the end of the one-hour episode, the romance that seemed natural at the show's beginning, between Ted and Robin, is rekindled.

Creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas say they knew the plot for the final episode when the series premiered nine years ago. Success kept them stringing along the story, even though part of Monday's finale was filmed in 2006 for fear that the teenaged actors

V

eteran actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is reprising his role as ‘Terminator’ in the fifth instalment of the eponymous franchise, finds action scenes taxing, but promises to surprise the audience with interesting twists in ‘Terminator: Genesis’.

The actor was merely 37 when he first played the character in the classic 1984 movie. Now at 66, he found the action scenes taxing on his body, but he says the story still has a relevant

context.

"The way that the character is written, it's a machine underneath," Schwarzenegger told

who played Ted's children would become unrecognisable.

The final episode skips through several years, where we learn that the marriage of Robin and Barney (played by Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris) splits up because of her success as a television correspondent. Barney has a baby through a one-night stand and Marshall and Lily (played by Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan) have three kids and he becomes a judge. (Times of India)

MTV News, reports contactmusic.com.

"It's this metal skeleton. But above that is human flesh. And the Terminator's flesh ages, just like any other human being's flesh. Maybe not as fast. But it definitely ages," said the actor.

Talking about the action scenes, he said, "Sometimes it does get more difficult when you're 66 years old and doing this kind of action, versus when you're in your 30s or in your 40s.”

(Hindustan Times)

‘LiLo’ takes up pole dancing to stay sober

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indsay Lohan has revealed that she has taken up pole dancing to stay sober and keep fit according to reports.

According to the Daily Star, the 27-year-old actress, who is documenting her recovery from substance abuse for the Oprah Winfrey Network, said in the series' latest episode that she likes doing that kind of workout as she sweats more doing that than yoga or treadmill.

It's a really good workout and is empowering for women to get to know their body and yourself, she added.

Lohan also said that though she's sober, she has been close to relapsing and it scares her. (ANI)

ames Wan, the director of 'Fast and Furious 7' resumed filming on Monday, about four months after Paul Walker died in an accident last November.

Director James Wan shared an image on Instagram on Monday of a placard from set, writing, "First day back filming. Better and stronger."

The Universal production, which is going to be filming in Abu Dhabi in April, is set to bring back Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges for the remainder of the shoot, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The film was about half way finished when Walker - who played former police officer Brian O'Conner died in a car crash in Valencia, California, on November, 30 last year. (ANI)

E

va Longoria has admitted that she's not sure if she'll ever have kids.

While talking to Parade magazine, the 39-year-old actress said that though she's always wanted a family, children are a product of love and hence, she won't have a baby by herself unless she finds the right man, the Mirror reported.

The former 'Desperate Housewives' star, who's been dating Televisa media company's president Jose Baston, said that she does not have that need to procreate.

Longoria also said that she is not worried about ageing and welcomes the process with open arms. (ANI)

‘Harry Potter’ spin-off to be made into film trilogy

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elebrated author JK Rowling's 'Harry Potter' spin-off, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, will be made into a film trilogy.

The film series will be based on a book, which was originally published in 2001 (between the fourth and fifth addition) and was originally billed as one of Harry Potter's Hogwarts textbooks, reported New York Daily News.

Warner Bros chief Kevin Tsujihara has reportedly persuaded Rowling to create the spin-off into a big-screen film series.

He said that "three mega movies" are being planned, which will follow a "magizoologist" named Newt Scamander.

Scamander is the writer of a guide to magical creatures and his adventures will be the focus of the first film in the upcoming series.

The spin-off story takes place 70

years before Harry Potter is ever introduced to the world, and will be set in New York City.

The original film franchises stars were Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, but they will not be appearing in the spin-off versions.

(Hindustan Times)

Selena Gomez shells out US$3M for Calabasas home

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elena Gomez has reportedly splashed out 3 million dollars on a new pad in Calabasas shortly after her on-again, off-again boyfriend Justin Bieber sold his property in the area.

According to the real estate sources, the 'Spring Breakers' star has bought a 5-bedroom 7,200 sq. ft.

Calabasas mansion, lo-

cated minutes away from the Kardashian Empire in Hidden Hills, TMZ reported.

The 21-year-old actress apparently didn't have too many demands when shopping for her new place but she refused to look at any properties in exclusive gated community ‘The Oaks’, where Bieber previously lived. (ANI)

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AAA names CARIFTA Games team

T

Kadecia Baird

Cassie George

Jason Yaw

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has released its shortlisted team for the 2014 junior CARIFTA Games set for Martinique in April.

The team will consist of two US- based Guyanese, along with seven locally based athletes, a head coach and three assistant coaches.

Headlining the local side of the team will be defending CARIFTA under-18 1500 metres champion Cassie George, who won gold last year.

The talented distance athlete will be defending her 1500 metres title while making a switch to the 3000 metres.

CARIFTA 400 metres bronze medalist Jason Yaw will also be the next local headliner, as he will attempt to top his bronze

medal performance from one year ago.

Avon Samuels will also look to improve on her performances from last year in the under-18 200 and 400 metres.

Making their debuts at the event will be talented sprinter Jevina Sampson in the 200 and 400 metres under-18, Natricia Hooper, triple jump, Kevin Abbensetts 100 and 200 metres under-20 and Kade Pearce, male under-20 high and triple jumps.

The US-based athletes will be headed by World Junior silver medalist and CAC gold medalist Kadecia Baird, who will look to better her bronze medal performance in the girls’ under-20 400 metres from one year ago. Baird will also feature in the girls’

under-20 200 metres.

Making her debut for Guyana as a US- based athlete will be Brenessa Thompson, who has one of the fastest junior indoor 60 metres in the US at the moment.

Thompson will be competing in the girls’ 100 and 200 metres.

The team’s coach will be Running Brave Athletics co-coach Sham Johnny, who will be assisted by Shawn Diets, Glenton Pantlitz, and Matthew Martin. The manager of the team will be Mayfield TaylorTrim.

Meanwhile, missing from the team will be CARIFTA 200 metres bronze medalist Tirana Mitchell, who has been ruled out due to an injury to her right quad muscle.

Competitive UA&GS 11-race cycling set for Saturday

F

ollowing the successful staging of the inaugural Star Party Rentals 11-race programme last Saturday, cyclists will converge on the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday to compete in the 10th annual Universal Auto and General Supplies (UA&GS) cycling event from 09:00h.

The event, which will take the form of the popular 11-race format, is being sponsored by Shameer Baksh, proprietor of UA&GS and a consistent rider in the Veterans Under-50 category.

National coach and organiser of the day’s proceedings, Hassan Mohamed, told this publication on Tuesday that all plans are in place for this weekend’s race, as the sponsor has committed to

Godfrey Pollydore will be the man to beat come Saturday

having the programme staged for the 10th year in succession.

The feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race is expected to be a hotly contested affair, as the riders will look to outgun the experienced Godfrey Pollydore, who has topped the podium for the last two races.

Pollydore, who has been involved in competitive cycling for over two decades, won the final leg of the Cheddi Jagan memorial road race in Essequibo and repeated the effort last Saturday by copping top honours in the 35-lap race sponsored by Star Party Rentals in the National Park.

Roraima Bikers Club’s Alonzo Greaves, who has been quiet since winning the second stage of the Cheddi Jagan race in Berbice, is the defending champion of the UA&GS main event, having won last year’s race in a time of one hour, 15 minutes, 53.33 seconds (01h: 15m: 53.33s).

Greaves would no doubt want to get back in winner’s row, and once he touches top form, Pollydore and others

Alanzo Greaves is the defending champion of the main race

would be in for a tough time.

Other riders looking to get back on the podium are Raynauth Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Paul deNobrega, Geron Williams, Orville Hinds, Hamzah Eastman, Albert Philander and Marlon Williams among others.

Michael Anthony of Team Coco (Guyana), won the junior category last year, while Junior Niles (Veterans Under-50), Ozia McUally (Mountain Bikes) and Tyrique Hall (12-14 Boys) were also in winner’s row and would be looking to repeat come Saturday.

Among the other events carded for

Shameer Baksh, the sponsor of Saturday’s race, usually competes in the veterans’ category

the day are BMX 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open and the Veterans Over-50 and Over-60.

Representatives of the UA&GS, including Baksh and his family, will be on hand to witness the race and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.

Parents mourn young cricketer’s death in TT

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aving one leg did not deter Earl Robertson from attending every one of his son, Tevin’s cricket matches. Cricket he said was Tevin’s life and it soon became his (Earl’s) life. Earl’s left leg was amputated five years ago because of diabetes but, with the assistance of two crutches, he would board a taxi to attend his son’s matches. Robertson, 19, who was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 cricket team, died on the spot when the car he was driving crashed into a fence on the Petrotrin compound near Gasparillo along

the Solomon Hochoy Highway on Saturday morning.

It is believed he fell asleep behind the wheel.

He was returning to Tunapuna after dropping off a female friend at Princes Town shortly after 5 am. Speaking to TT Newsday from his Contention Street, Princes Town home Sunday, Earl recalled five years ago when doctors told him his left leg had to be amputated. He was warded for 15 days at the San Fernando General Hospital. At that time Tevin was attending St Benedicts College, La Romaine.

“I know he did not take it well after they had to amputate my leg. He and all my family members stood by my side, but Tevin had to get counselling. He did not take it good at all, but he was always at my side,” the sad father recalled.

He said soon after he was able to use crutches he began attending his son’s matches. “I remember going to his first game at a ground in Tableland.

He had made close to 60 something runs and everyone was so amazed. I was so proud,” he said.

Earl said he soon purchased a car and was continued on page 51

SPort

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Senior team call-up delights Hetmyer Marques puts WIBC CABOFE

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eventeen-year-old Shimron Hetmyer, has expressed surprise and delight at receiving his maiden senior call-up to the national side.

The former Berbice High School student, who has been a steady performer over the years, received the news on Monday that he has been included in Guyana’s 13-member squad ahead of the team’s Regional Four-Day match against the Leeward Islands, slated to bowl off on Friday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket ground in Antigua.

“I was a bit surprised, and happy at the same time,” said Hetmyer, who represented Guyana at the youth levels as well as the West Indies Under-19 team.

“It is a great feeling to represent Guyana at the senior level. And, all I am looking for is to stay focused and live up to the expectations,” Hetmyer told Guyana Times International Sport on Tuesday from his home in Canje.

The attacking opening batsman said the call-up is certainly an ideal opportunity for him to develop his game.

“I want to use this opportunity to develop my game, it’s a big step in my career so I am looking forward to it,” Hetmyer concluded Hetmyer is one of four changes made to

belt on the line

I

n what is envisaged will be an evening of fistic fury, the Guyana Boxing Board of Control will host “Jamaican Invasion”, a five-fight boxing card on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

A maximum of 32 rounds of boxing is carded for the night, with action set to commence at 20:00h.

The night’s action will be headlined by what is touted as a mouth-watering showdown between Guyanese Dexter “The Kid” Marques

At stake would be the World Boxing Council (WBC)/Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Flyweight

Shimron Hetmyer in action during the Bangladesh Under-19 tour of the West Indies

the squad with off-spinner Zaheer Mohamed, opener Trevon Griffith and Ronsford Beaton, who returns from injury being the other players to replace Test players Narsingh Deonarine, Devendra Bishoo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul along with West Indies T20 player Christopher Barnwell.

Chanderpaul will not be available for the rest of the competition due to his commitment to county cricket in England.

Guyana sit on 17 points from four matches-three defeats and a draw- and are at the bottom of the points table

and with just two games remaining are no longer in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

The team for Guyana’s sixthround game reads: Leon Johnson (captain), Assad Fudadin, Amir Khan, Trevon Griffith,Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Zaheer Mohamed, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Bramble,Veerasammy Permaul (vice captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph and Chandrapaul Hemraj. The coach is Esaun Crandon and the Manager is Alvin Johnson.

Parents mourn young...

from page 50

able to drive to see his son’s matches but the car was seized because of financial constraints.

“Well that did not stop me. I just took my two crutches and would travel to see Tevin’s matches.

I had to be there to see him play. I just can’t believe now I would never have the privilege of watching him on the field again and cheering him on,” Earl sobbed. He said Tevin would also ensure he got a drop home.

Tevin’s mother, Rhea St John who was seated next to Earl, wept as she spoke of her son’s promising future. Tevin had two other siblings threeyear-old Azariah and Samantha, 25.

St John said that Azariah keeps asking for her brother. “They were very close. But she (Azariah) does not understand what has happened. So she keeps asking me when Tevin coming come.”

The emotional mother held up a few of the many trophies and medals Robertson had copped over the years.

“He had so much tal-

Dexter Marques

Deceased 19-year-old TT cricketer Tevin Robertson

ent and he believed that one day he was going to play for the West Indies Cricket team.” She said Robertson was not only a talented cricketer but also excelled academically. St John said her son was being eyed for selection as a potential player for the West Indies cricket team. She said president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, Azim Bassarath, had told her her son’s extraordinary skill as a

left hand bowler was noticed by officials. “Tevin’s dream was to play for the West Indies and he was working towards this dream each day. He trained day and night.

Cpl Lee of the St Margarets Police Station is continuing investigations. An autopsy on Robertson’s body is expected to be performed this week following which funeral arrangements will be announced.

(TT Newsday)

Rudolph Hedge

and Jamaican Rudolph “Cutting Edge” Hedge, who will square off in a 12-round title fight.

Both pugilists have expressed confidence of outdoing each other, but when they enter the ring on Saturday all the thrash talk will count for nothing if skills, dexterity and tactical acumen are no-shows.

belt, currently adorning Marques’s waist.

While Marques, with a record of 13 wins (two knockouts) and two defeats from 15 bouts, would look to keep the belt in the Land of Many Waters, Hedge would definitely be harbouring thoughts of flying back to the Land of Wood and Water the new WBC/

CABOFE Flyweight title holder.

Hedge would be desperate for a win at this stage of his career, having suffered two defeats and a draw in his last four trips to the “square jungle.” After 11 fights, the Jamaican’s record stands at seven victories, (two knockouts), one loss and three draws.

In the main supporting clash, Mark Austin of Guyana will trade punches with Devon Moncrieffe of Jamaica in an eight-round Junior Middleweight encounter, while the other three fights are all four-rounders.

Romeo Norville of Guyana will take on Jamaica’s Kemahl Russell in a Super Middleweight clash; hometown boy Quincy Gomes will face Toriano Nicholas of Jamaica at Lightweight, while in an all-local showdown, David Thomas will confront Richard Williamson at Super Lightweight.

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Badree passes Narine ECCB 40-over Competition Better Hope again defeat Ogle to become number B one T20 bowler etter Hope stunned Ogle once more as the East Coast Cricket Board’s 40-over competition continued last weekend.

This time, Better Hope ‘B’ took the challenge to Ogle in a rain-affected match played at Ogle.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Ogle posted a challenging 149 off 28.5 overs of their allotted 30 overs . Batting for Ogle, Khemraj Dindial made an unbeaten half century to place Ogle in a commanding position.

Excellent bowling by Better Hope troubled Ogle early in the match.

Ogle lost two wickets

W

West Indies cricketers Samuel Badree (right) and Sunil Narine attend the training session at The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday (Wednesday)

est Indies' leg-spinner Samuel Badree has moved up a place to replace teammate Sunil Narine as the number-one ranked bowler in the latest Reliance ICC Player Ranking for T20I bowlers.

The latest update was released yesterday (Wednesday), a day after the group stage of the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 came to an end.

Badree is currently

the third highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 10 scalps from four matches, at an average of nine and an economy rate of 5.62.

His efforts have helped him gain 109 ratings points to finish on 855, 45 ratings points ahead of teammate Narine.

Before the start of the tournament, Badree was behind Narine by just one ratings point.

The player rankings will now be updated on

Monday, April 7, after the final of the tournament.

In the other change in the table, West Indies and Australia have swapped positions.

West Indies are now ranked fifth with a gain of five ratings points and are now on 115.

Australia, on the other hand, have moved down a place to sixth with a drop of five ratings points to end on 110.

(CMC)

TT can win Regional 4-Day title – Emrit

Bharat Samaroo

in the first two overs, but managed to recover. Bowling for Better Hope, Kevin Kowlessar picked up 2 for 11 and Roy Persaud 2 for 15.

At the start of Better

Hope’s innings, Ogle managed to make early inroads into the batting line- up giving them a glimmer of victory, but excellent batting

by Bharat Samaroo and Sunil Seeraj took Better Hope to victory.

Better Hope completed their run chase in 24 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Batting for Better Hope, Bharat Samaroo scored an even half century, while Sunil Seeraj supported with a knock of 44.

Bowling for Ogle, Khemraj Dindial returned with the ball to capture 3 for 15.

‘From Mecca to MacKenzie’ set to entice Linden fans

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asketball is slowly regaining its popularity, especially after the recently concluded Road to Mecca National Club Championship which was held in Georgetown.

However, with fan support gaining traction and with Georgetown fans coming out to support their teams, the final six teams in the tournament will now head to Linden for return matches with over Gy$250,000 up for grabs.

In what is being called ‘From Mecca to Mackenzie’, organizer of the games Edison Jefford revealed the notion be-

hind the return games.

“The initial idea behind it is to carry the rivalry from Georgetown to Linden to really see if the Georgetown teams can dominate in Linden.

“The Georgetown fans came out in their numbers and we want to generate that same atmosphere in Linden to test Georgetown in Linden’s back yard,” Jefford told Guyana Times International Sport.

Dyna’s Ravens will play the Retrieve Raiders in the feature game, which was the final of the Road to Mecca, while Bounty Colts will Battle Amelia’s Ward Jets, the

game which was the third place playoff.

Pacesetters will also take on Kashif and Shanghai Kings in a pregame encounter with action tipping off from 19:00h at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

Jefford also mentioned that he expects a tremendous turnout and so very good basketball in the re-matches.

Kirk “Chow Pow” Jardine is also expected to host the event and bring entertainment value to Linden, while the basketball will be a showcase of some of the most talented athletes in the nation.

‘Reggae Girl’ excited about playing in World Cup

S

Rayad Emrit

R

ayad Emrit, captain of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team, is delighted with the squad’s comfortable tenwicket victory over the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and feels his team can go all the way and win the Regional Four Day Tournament.

Trinidad and Tobago will host Jamaica at the Queen’s Park Oval this weekend, followed by a trip away to Guyana from April 11-14.

“We have to take each game at a time,” Emrit noted. “Jamaica

are going to come here on a defeat (against Barbados) and we’re on a high now. I think if we win the next two games, we could win the tournament.

“We really want to do it because we haven’t won it for a while. I think the guys are really up for it. We’re really working hard. If we do what we did this game, our batters, as long as they score runs, we can bowl out teams.”

Meanwhile, Jason Mohammed, who scored a double century vs CCC, reflected on his knock, saying, “It was a

very nice feeling to score my first double-hundred. Every time you do well in First-Class cricket, it’s always a special feeling to score a doublehundred. It was a very special feeling for me.”

Mohammed has also been utilising his offbreaks more this year.

“I always liked bowling a lot but this year I’ve been doing a lot of practice bowling, even in the (NAGICO Super50) tournament earlier this year, I did a lot of bowling for my team,” said Mohammed. “The team is one that is very hard to make right now.

ENIOR Reggae Girl Tasheka Gordon is salivating at the prospects of her team making it to the FIFA World Cup 2015 in Canada.

"My main goal at the moment is focusing on the upcoming World Cup to be held in Canada, as it would be great to compete with other countries across the world and show that Jamaica has talented female footballers," Gordon said.

"I plan on working extremely hard and doing my best in training," she added.

Gordon, 24, said she had an early start in the game.

"I started playing football from when I was about eight years old when I used to play at Little London Primary in Westmoreland, and from there on, I developed a liking for the sport," she said.

Gordon, who made her first appearance for Jamaica six years ago in Mexico, says her mo-

GORDON... my main goal at the moment is focusing on the World Cup in Canada (PHOTO: COLLIN REID)

tivation comes from her brother and mother.

"From basic school my brother Dwayne Morris has always been there to support me even up to this day and my mother Rose McNeill also motivates me and supports me a lot," she outlined.

Gordon, who attends GC Foster College and who is majoring in Sports Massage Therapy, says she has learnt to manage books and playing for Reno FC. The defender, who is equally comfortable on the flanks and in the middle of defence, says

in-between her substantive activities she still finds time to actualise her overall love for sport.

"I am very athletic as I can run and sometimes I play netball, but football for me is like a hobby. I enjoy playing the sport as I have the passion and skill to be a great footballer... in the future I would love to play football for the Liverpool women's football club," she noted.

Jamaica has never qualified a female team at the global tournament level. (Jamaica Observer)

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Ramotar hails positive impact of Limacol CPL

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resident Donald Ramotar has highlighted the positive impact of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the tremendous benefits that Guyana would have derived from the hosting of four matches in the inaugural tournament last year.

The head of state pointed out that the tournament is an excellent platform for the promotion of sport tourism, a concept his government embraces.

Delivering feature remarks at the National Sports Commission’s annual awards ceremony on Friday evening at the National Cultural

Centre, president Ramotar spoke glowingly of the success and impact of the Limacol CPL, which was an immediate hit with the fans and players alike.

While pointing out that his government is keen on building quality sport facilities across the country, it is also committed to exploring the economic benefits of sport, thus a major investment in the Limacol CPL in 2013.

“Guyana invested US$175,000 and was to get about US$915,000 worth of marketing exposure for the country- that’s the estimate from the experts- and about US$4 million

President Donald Ramotar

worth in direct and indirect value through our hotels, our restaurants and the transportation system. As I said, this was according to the experts doing the economic impact study

that was conducted by Mona School of Business and Management of Jamaica,” Ramotar explained.

The president said his administration will always invest in events such as the Limacol CPL, as marketing Guyana through sport is critical to the economic well-being of the country.

“When you look at that one example [the Limacol CPL], you will see that if we can look at how we can broaden our revenue base so that we can do more for our people by providing more goods and services and here this gives you a clear example that sports tourism is an area

that we can seriously look at in order to enhance our revenue base and diversify even further the economy of the country,” the president pointed out.

The Limacol CPL was played infront of sold-out crowds at all the venues across the region, with some of the biggest names in T20 cricket representing the six franchises.

Among the international players donning the respective franchise colours were Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ulHaq, Lasith Malinga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Vernon Philander, Shoaib Malik, Kumar Sangakkara, James

Franklin, Martin Guptil and Ricky Ponting.

The marquee West Indies players were Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine.

The second edition of the tournament is billed for July 10 to August 16 this year with some 200odd players in the draft.

When the action bowls off, the Jamaica Tallawahs will look to defend their title against last year’s runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Tridents, Antigua Hawksbills, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

Curtain comes down on historic karate c’ships in Guyana

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he first ever South American K a r a t e Championships being held under the auspices of world karate organisation, the International Karate Daigaku (IKD), got under way at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, in Georgetown, Guyana at approximately 10:00h on Saturday.

According to a media release from the Guyana Karate College, His Excellency the President of Guyana Mr. Donald Ramotar, a 7th Degree Black Belt, graced the event with his presence and in his remarks, pledged his government’s continued support to the development of Karate-do, to sport in general and to the development of the

youth of Guyana.

Attending and officiating at the championships were top brass of the IKD including the Chairman and Chief Instructor Frank Woon-a-Tai; Vice Chairman and Deputy Chief Instructor Maureen Woon-aTai; Shihan Keith Da Costa; and IKD Executive Treasurer Bernice Hughes, 6th Dan.

The tournament, which saw the participation of Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana was of a very high standard with competitors participating in individual kumite (fighting), kata (form), and the application of karate through team kata team bunkai, and team enbu.

The championships ended on Sunday.

(Guyana Times)

Part of the demonstrations of karate skills at the just concluded South American Karate C’ships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Guyana last weekend (Carl Croker photo)

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Dottin, King fail to save Windies Women - eight-run win gives Australia Women spot in final

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ot even the fire the West Indies had in them could prevent Australia from squeezing into the final of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2014.

Over the course of the semifinal at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday (April 3), West Indies landed the early punch; Australia recovered, but just when Deandra Dottin, the West Indies all-rounder, appeared to have landed the knockout punch, came another twist. A full toss that ought to have been hit out of the park found the long-on fielder, with West Indies still needing 20 off 11 balls. That proved to be the turning point as Australia scraped home by eight runs.

Sarah Coyte, who conceded 21 in three wicketless overs, bowled one into Dottin's striking zone. The full toss found the sweet spot, but didn’t get the required elevation as Erion Osborne held her nerve to hold on to the catch with the ropes lurking in the corner of her eye. Despite her dismissal, there was

Australia Women defeated West Indies Women to reach yet another final of the ICC Women's World Twenty20.

still a glimmer of hope with Stacy-Ann King unbeaten on 31. But Australia held their own under pressure to give themselves a chance of completing a hat trick of World T20 titles come Sunday.

All the talk of a sluggish pitch, slow turn and uneven bounce was something both teams didn't pay heed to.

Australia, who opted to bat, posted a more than competitive 140 for 5 courtesy Alyssa Healy's

unbeaten 21-ball 30 that provided the power boost towards the end.

West Indies started well but Stafanie Taylor's run-out on 24 set the cat among the pigeons. Three quiet overs later, Dottin cut loose.

Her intimidating presence brought a sense of calm to the West Indies dug out. Her 35-ball 40 – a fine cocktail of timing and fierce ball-striking – threatened to reduce the match to a canter. The short balls were mus-

cled over deep mid-wicket and the full ones were paddled round the corner. It came as a big blow when she fell in the manner she did, her dismissal allowing Australia to tighten the noose.

Aguilleira, who followed, couldn’t quite strike the ball cleanly as Rene Farrell, the medium pacer, conceded just five runs, with West Indies needing 14; West Indies finished at 132 for 4.

Most T20

Internationals have that one big innings or a match-winning spell.

Australia had none, yet their batting depth eventually made the difference. Three cameos – Elyse Villani at the top, Meg Lanning, the captain, in the middle, and Healy at the depth – injected momentum to the innings at various stages.

Villani, fresh off a match-winning 90 in her previous game against Pakistan, rolled out the carpet for the run-fest by smashing two boundaries of Tremayne Smartt, the medium pacer, in the first over. In an attempt to tie the batters down, Aguilleira brought on her spinners, but there was no stopping Villani.

The openers put on 32 before Jess Jonassen, promoted to open, was run out for 5. West Indies’ relief quickly turned to despair as Lanning, who came in next, sent the bowlers scurrying for cover. A powerhouse of talent for someone who is small built, Lanning danced down and lofted cleanly over mid-off to set the tempo. Villani's burst ended as she

looked to step things up and holed out to long-off where Kycia held on to a comfortable catch.

Lanning kept the momentum going by taking Shaquana Quintyne, the legspinner, for three boundaries in the 10th over. Off the next, she hammered Selman for two boundaries – first bisecting deep midwicket and long-on and then cracking one wide of point. Lanning, who blasted her way effortlessly to 29, was done in by the slowness of the pitch when she got a thick inside edge onto the pad as the ball then rolled onto the stumps.

Three overs later, Anisa Mohammed dismissed Jess Cameron.

But every time Australia found themselves taking two steps back, they looked to take a giant one forward. Right on time, in came Healy at No. 7. As if to prove a point against her demotion, she came out and single-handedly provided the final lift.

Australia smashed 48 off the final five overs to finish with a flourish that helped them prevail. (ICC)

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Global stars for Limacol CPL 2014 showcase

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Kumar Sangakkara

he Limacol C a r i b b e a n Premier League has confirmed a stellar line-up of cricketers registered to take part in this year’s competition.

The announcement includes the six International Franchise Players (IFPs) chosen by the teams, and all of the players entering the 2014 Draft, which takes place this Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica.

The six IFPs will include three returning stars and three newcomers to the Limacol CPL. International cricket’s most successful bowler ever, Muttiah Muralitharan (Jamaica Tallawahs), CPL 2013’s

leading run-scorer, Shoaib Malik (Barbados Tridents), and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel) will all return to their 2013 teams, while the top wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, Saeed Ajmal (Antigua Hawksbills), record-breaking New Zealander, Corey Anderson (Guyana Amazon Warriors) and Australian T20 specialist, Brad Hodge (St Lucia Zouks), will all make their CPL debuts.

Vying to join the six IFPs in the Biggest Party in Sport will be global stars such as Shahid Afridi, Kevin Pietersen, Kumar Sangakkara

Mahela Jayawardene

and Daniel Vettori, as well as more than 100 Caribbean players, who will all enter the 2014 Draft.

Big-hitting Afridi will feature alongside 26 of his Pakistani compatriots, including Umar Gul, World T20 centurion, Ahmed Shehzad, and test and ODI captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, while 13 New Zealanders, including James Franklin, Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder, join former Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori in the Draft.

11 Sri Lankans will go into the Draft, including former captains, Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, as

well as hard-hitting allrounder, Thisara Perera, and mystery spinner, Ajantha Mendis.

Australia has the largest overseas contingent in the draft, with 32 players, including prolific batsmen, David Hussey and Adam Voges, pace bowlers, Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes, and spinners, Brad Hogg and Xavier Doherty.

South Africa seamer, Vernon Philander, who tasted Limacol CPL success last year with the Jamaica Tallawahs, is hoping to return to the competition for a second year alongside Herschelle Gibbs, who played for St. Lucia Zouks in 2013. 23 South

Daniel Vettori

Africans in total will go into the Draft, including current Proteas stars, Robin Peterson and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

England internationals, Simon Jones, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Owais Shah, will line up alongside former teammate, Kevin Pietersen, in the Draft.

They will be joined by Bangladesh pair, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, Zimbabwe spinner, Ray Price, Irish World Cup hero, Kevin O’Brien, Netherlands World T20 star, Tom Cooper, and Afghanistan captain, Mohammad Nabi.

Limacol CPL 2014 will give cricketers from

across the Caribbean the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world. Up and coming cricketers, such as Nicolas Pooran and Jason Holder, will enter the Draft alongside Windies test stars like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tino Best, and current World T20 players, Samuel Badree, Dwayne Smith and Krishmar Santokie.

The Draft takes place at Chris Gayle’s Triple Century Bar in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday 3rd April at 2:30pm (Central) (7:30pm GMT), and will be streamed live at http://cplt20.com/draft.